Rev. Robert Dean

Rev. Robert Lee (R.L.) Dean – Ft. Blackmore, VA
R.L. went Home to with his Lord and Savior o n April 16, 2014 at the home of his daughter, Melissa Tipton of the Manville community of Scott County, VA with family and friends by his side. He was 88.
R.L was born in Lee County, VA on June 15, 1925 to the late Daniel C. and Lucy Bowen Dean. Brothers, Albert, John, and Bill Dean and sister, Laura Gibson preceded him in death, along with a grandson, Nathan Cheek.
R.L. was a World War II veteran where he served as a member of the 268th Field Artillery Battalion as a gun crewman of heavy artillery. He served his county proudly from September 1943 to February 1946, during that time which he received 4 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct, and a Victory medal.
Prior to his retirement he was employed by Penn Dixie Cement Company in Kingsport, TN for 34 years and 9 months as a kiln operator, and served as Union President for several years.
R.L. was a minister for many years and pastored Starnes Bluff Evangelical Methodist Church as well as Alley Valley Freewill Baptist, where he enjoyed preaching and teaching the word of God. He was a special pastor, friend, and spiritual counselor to all who knew him.
R.L. leaves behind his loving wife of 67 years, Inez Carter Dean. He is also survived by his daughters, Brenda Tipton and husband, Michael, Weber City, VA, Donna Rose and husband, Doug, Nickelsville, VA, Meilssa Tipton and husband, Jeff, Manville community of Gate City, VA, and Becky Gibson and husband, James, Greeneville, TN; grandsons, Ritchie, Petie, and Jamie; granddaughters, LaNez, Jesse, Morgan, and Kelsey; great grandson, Christian; great granddaughters, Whitney, Kirsten, Jordyn, Katherine, and Sophia; great great grandson, Bentley; great great granddaughter, Kylee; step great grandchildren, Brittany, Payton, Madison, Malaki, and Maedyn, Jacob, Ashley, Jerika, Nathaniel, Kelli, and Lexi; brothers, Herman and Sherman Dean, both of Ft. Blackmore, VA; sister, Eva Mae Bogg, Ft. Blackmore, VA; several nieces and nephews; special family friends, Carol Hill, Dawn Strickler, and Dan Starnes; special caregiver and granddaughter-in-law, Charity Akers.
The family would like to say thank you to Charity Akers for all the loving care she gave him; also to Joe Carter for all the loving care of our mother through this heartfelt time; and to special grandson, Mark Manis for all the love and support he gave.
We also would like to thank all the nurses with Home Nursing (Jennifer, Carol, Steve, Shauna, ad Miss Jen) for all the care and support they gave him and the family; and Indian Path 4th Floor Nurses, Dr. Hodges and staff for all the care they gave to him.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 18, 2014 at the Gate City Funeral Home and other time as the residence of his daughter, Melissa Tipton. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Brother Steve Wells, Brother Gary Hunley, and Rev. Otto Gibson officiating. Toke Hensley will provide the music.
Military graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the Dean Family Cemetery, Ft. Blackmore, VA by the American Legion Post #3, Kingsport, TN and Post #265, Gate City, VA assisted by members of the Virginia Army National Guard Honor Guard. Ritchie Starnes, Adrain (Petie) Starnes, Jamie McDavid, Scott Hill, Christian Starnes, Payton Sword, Jacob Herron, and Mark Manis will serve as pallbearers.
Glenn Carter, Dan Starnes, Robert Boggs, Craig Carter, Joe Carter, Eddie Dean, and Abraham Herron will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at12:00 Noon to go in procession to the graveside service.
An online guest register is available for the Dean family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Rev. Robert Lee (R.L.) Dean.