Zelma Erline Dean

Zelma Acreman Dean, our beloved mom, age 80, passed away on Saturday, March 15, at Symphony of Mesa Nursing Facility in Mesa, Arizona. Our family will be receiving friends on Sunday, March 23, from 1:15-2:00 at the Antioch East Baptist Church, 2303 Old Stage Road, Greenville, Alabama, prior to funeral services to be held at 2:00. Officiating will be Rev. Ronald Boulware with Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Our mom was born to Clarence and Mary Acreman in Georgiana, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husband and our dad, Ivan J. Dean, and her siblings; Ellen Daughtery, Mary Jo Duncan, Elsie Mulero, and C.J. Acreman. She is survived by four daughters: Debra (Aden) Porter of Blissfield, MI, Brenda (Lawrence) Brown of Mesa, Arizona, Sandra (Gerald) Ludwig of Suwanee, GA, and Barbra (Timothy) Hornsby of Woodstock, GA; grandchildren: Keri Lynn and Jeremy Brown of Mesa, Arizona, Vanessa (Alex) Barrus of Milan, MI, Brianna Porter of Blissfield, MI, Micaela Ludwig of Suwanee, GA, and Madison Hornsby of Woodstock, GA; great-grandchild: Piper Barrus of Milan, MI.

Mom worked for many years as a secretary for a variety of companies, including Ford Motor Co. of Detroit, MI and Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. She was a member of the “Sweet Adelines” while she lived in Michigan and enjoyed singing and yodeling in area jam sessions in Mesa, Arizona in later years. She was a songwriter and loved writing poetry. She expressed herself through her art in portraits and landscapes. She loved Jesus and family. She expressed her love for us by spending hours making crocheted clothing, blankets, afghans, and rugs.

Our sister, Barbra, expresses our feelings in a poem she wrote early Sunday morning.

My Sweet Mama

I awakened in the morning -

It wasn't even dawn

It was hard for me to grasp

My sweet mama was really gone.

I started thinking back

On all the times we shared

It helped to ease the pain

To know how much you cared!

I remember when I was little

You tucked me into bed

With chocolate milk, a song,

And caressing my small head.

In the winter I remember

The freshly fallen snow

You'd send us out for "snow cream"

And we happily did go!

You dressed all four girls alike

And sent us out on stage

Being the youngest - I ran off

But you never showed any rage.

You were quite the talented artist -

To each art show I tagged along,

I tried to paint just like you

While singing a happy song!

You never met a stranger -

You'd share about Jesus' life,

And tell them to believe in Him

He'd take away their strife!

You loved all of the instruments

And you'd teach yourself how to play

Your music was amazing

And it's passed on to my Madison Shea!

When she called us in to listen

To a song she could play by ear,

It reminded me so much of you

And my eyes swelled up with tears!

I imagine you in heaven

Joining in the angels' song

And teaching them how to yodel -

Your voice is new and strong!

No more frail body in heaven -

Dancing eyes and a smiling face,

You'll be missed by those you left behind

But you're in a much better place!

I love you, Mama!

Tell Jesus and Daddy , "Hi" for me!

by Barbra Hornsby