Reverend Raymond Ellis "Ray" Dean

Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb

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Posted by: Sorrells Funeral Home
www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com.
(334) 886-7777
Date: Oct 18 2018 4:27 PM

Sorrells Funeral Home

P.O. Box 159

1315 West Lawrence Harris Hwy.

Slocomb, AL 36375

(334) 886-7777

Obituary: Reverend Raymond Ellis “Ray” Dean

 

Reverend Raymond Ellis “Ray” Dean, 83, of Midland City, Alabama passed away October 18th, 2018 at his home after an extended illness. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2018 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb with Pastors Jason  and Kim Duren officiating. Interment will follow at the Jellico Cemetery, Wicksburg, AL. 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. 

Flowers are being accepted or donations to the church of choice to the honor and glory of God.

Born July 7th, 1935 in Dale County, he was one of two sons to Malcolm Coy Dean and Dovie May Dean. In 1955 Ray married the love of his life Betty Jean Thompson Dean of Dothan and enjoyed 63 years of beautiful marriage and ministry together. Soon after marriage, Ray and Betty decided to begin their evangelistic ministry which led to formation of the R. E. Dean Evangelistic Association. They later founded the Ewell Assembly of God Church in Ewell, AL with early beginnings as a "brush arbor". As their ministry evolved, they also founded the Faith Deliverance Tabernacle in Ozark, AL and in Dothan, AL and the R. E. Dean / Faith Deliverance Tabernacle television ministry, one of the longest running tele-evangelist broadcasts in the region.  

Spanning the entirety of their marriage, their evangelistic ministry centered on reaching into communities in Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia and North Florida through many venues including their tent revival ministry that served to introduce thousands to the word of God, regardless of race, color or creed. Alongside their ministry Ray established successful business operations that included Dean Motors and Ray Dean Farm Equipment Auction, Wicksburg, AL.  

Reverend Dean loved his family and was so proud of each and every one of them. He is survived by his wife Betty; sons: Jerry of Dothan, Donnie (Karen) of Dothan, Ronnie (Sue) of Troy, AL; daughter, Kim Dean Duren (Jason) of Dothan; nephews: Gene Dean of Atlanta and Bobby Dean, Dothan; grandchildren: Jennifer Awan, Jason Dean, Justin Dean, Ashley Skinner, Haley Hill, Wesley Dean, Megan Dean, Lauren Dean, Calvery Duren, Amelia Duren, Tucker Duren, Josie Duren, Lilly Hannah Duren; and twelve great grandchildren. 

 He was predeceased by his father, Malcom Coy Dean, mother, Dovie May Dean and his brother, Robert “Buster” Gaston Dean. 

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the physicians and medical staffs of those who so lovingly cared for Rev. Dean during his illness. In addition, the family would like to thank Compassus Hospice of Troy and a special thank you to Wanda Price for the loving and caring service given during his final weeks and days. Also, a very special thank you to Victory Family Church of Dothan for their strength and support.

 

 

Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb

(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.

Because We Care ... Is Making A Difference"

To sign a guest register, please visit

www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com.

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