Nell Beaman Dean

The youngest of three children of Nell and Carl Beaman, Nell was born and raised in Farmville, NC. She loved to share stories of her childhood - of her sister Frances and brother Carl – and never failed to let you know that she was her daddy’s little princess. As a young child, Nell was considered “sickly” and doctors thought she would not live past 5 years of age. She would often grin and say, “I guess I showed them.”

Nell attended Campbell College, where she met the love of her life, Grover Hillman Dean (who, ironically, had been a friend of her college boyfriend and would often go out on double dates with them). She loved to tell that story. After graduating Campbell with a teaching degree, she moved back home to Farmville and taught elementary school in Snow Hill. Nell later married Hillman and moved to Kinston and then to Raleigh, where she taught elementary school at Effie Green and Aldert Root. After teaching for approximately 17 years, Nell worked for the Employment Security Commission, ultimately retiring from the state in 1987.

Nell was the proud mother of 2 children – Carl and Jane – and was quick to brag on her children to anyone who would lend an ear. Carl and Jane were devoted to their mother and ensured that she was well cared for and never alone after Hillman’s death in 1981. Nell also served as a surrogate mother over the years to many of Carl and Jane’s friends, who continued to stay in close contact with her until her death. She was proud to have had close relationships with so many of Carl and Jane’s friends, and collectively referred to them as “all my chi’rens.”

Nell was blessed to be “Grammy” to 2 granddaughters, Brooke and Jamie "Rose" Dean. She loved them both dearly, and she deeply shared both their tragedies and their joys. Nell was so happy to recently have been given a sneak preview of Brooke’s upcoming wedding during a private, in-home viewing of Brooke modeling her wedding gown.

Nell was especially close to her remaining family in Farmville, who affectionately referred to her as “Aunt Tay Tay.” She enjoyed going home to spend time with them.

Nell loved music. She was a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, where she sang in the Senior Choir. She especially loved singing old hymns and was recently heard singing Amazing Grace out loud during a physical therapy session.

Nell was fiercely independent. After being widowed at a relatively young age, she worked to ensure that her children completed their education and that she owned the roof over her head. She was determined to continue to live in her own home, even as she became increasingly frail. Nell’s family was blessed to have found an in-home caregiver who assisted in allowing her to do just that until the end. Kathy – you have been an absolute godsend. You are now family.

And, Nell loved coffee. Enough said…if you know, you know.

Nell/Mother/Ma/Grammy/Aunt Tay Tay – You will be missed. We’ll miss your stories. We’ll miss your spunk. We’ll miss your undying love and support. We’ll miss your coffee.

Nell was predeceased by husband, Hillman Dean, and son, Carl Dean. She is survived by her daughter Jane Tracy and husband Bill (Houston, TX); granddaughters Brooke Tracy (Ann Arbor, MI) and Jamie Dean (Clarksville, VA); nieces Nell Marie Beacham and husband Andy (Washington, NC) and Betty Lee Evans and husband Don.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, November 20, 2020 at 11:00am at Browne-Wynne on Millbrook Road. The family will receive visitors from 10:00am – 10:45am, prior to the service. Burial at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens (Raleigh), immediately following the service. Social distancing and masks are required for those attending in person. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed via the Brown-Wynne website. (https://www.facebook.com/BrownWynneMillbrook/)

The family would like to thank the staff at Transitions Hospice Home for the dignity and care provided to Nell during her last days. The seemingly small things, like positioning her on her favorite side, will not be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Transitions Hospice Home on Trinity Road in Raleigh, or Trinity Baptist Church for the Senior Choir.