Sherma June Dean

She is survived by husband Merrell, sons Steven (Jennifer) and Michael (Barbara), sister Diana Pepperman, granddaughters Madison, Megan, and Annie. She is preceded in death by parents George B. and Mabel Samples, siblings Mary Ann Schmidt and George W. Samples.

Sherma was born on October 10th,1936 in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Shawnee High School in 1954, and attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Sherma moved with her parents and sisters to San Antonio, Tx and worked as a secretary for the Red Cross and as a model for the Ben Shaw Agency. She met Merrell while he was training at Lackland Air Force, and they ultimately married in San Antonio in 1959.

Sherma was the consummate loving, selfless mother, homemaker, and wife and tirelessly raised her children (and two English Sheepdogs) when Merrell was away during protracted Air Force assignments. She was extremely talented at arts and crafts including painting, sewing, needlepoint, quilting, and rug hooking. Other hobbies including growing African Violets, jigsaw puzzles, and endless games of Mahjong. Her dedication to community service was exemplary as evidenced by her volunteerism at Air Force hospitals, serving as a long-standing advisor for the OU Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, becoming the first chairwoman of the McFarlin Methodist Church Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Rose Rock Antique Club, and President of the Norman Assistance League. She was especially proud of being the Mother of Norman’s Family of the Year in 1986.

A celebration of Sherma’s life is scheduled for Saturday April 15th at 11:00 AM at Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor Matt Brown will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norman Assistance League. Condolences can be sent to primrosefuneralservice.com. The family would like to thank Pastor Matt Brown for his kindness, wisdom, and spiritual guidance during the grieving and memorial process.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Dean family.