Mrs. DeDear was born on December 31, 1927 in her Grandfather Luke Robertson’s home in Round Rock, Texas to her parents Ernest Gerald “Monk” Pearson and Adeline (Robertson) Pearson. Mrs. DeDear grew up helping her father in his restaurant business and started keeping the books for him when she was a teenager. In school, she enjoyed competing in speech, debate and music. After graduating from Round Rock High School in 1945, Mrs. DeDear was awarded a Life Scholarship to attend Nixon-Clay Commercial College, majoring in Executive Secretarial courses. She then worked three years as secretary for the Soil Conservation Department in Round Rock.
On March 3, 1949, Laura Jean married her childhood friend James Neil DeDear in the Round Rock Methodist Church where they grew up worshiping together. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir, continuing these activities throughout her life. Mrs. DeDear realized her childhood dream of travel as her husband joined the Air Force and they lived 27 years on military bases in the Philippines, England, Wyoming, Texas, Mississippi, New Jersey and Florida. On base, she taught swimming and First Aid and she volunteered with the Red Cross for 20 years as a Disaster Coordinator. Mrs. DeDear was a proud homemaker who dearly loved her husband and family, hosting family holidays and celebrations throughout her 90 years.
Laura Jean DeDear is survived by her husband, James Neil DeDear of Georgetown, Texas; her daughter, Cynthia Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; her daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Henry Ray of Georgetown, Texas; and her daughter and son-in-law, Pattye and Mark Hagens of Shiner, Texas; and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Mrs. DeDear’s service in celebration of her life will be at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas where she has been a member with her husband since 1975.
Arrangements by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.
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