Ruth Dean

Ruth Dean was born on March 20, 1948 in Long Branch, New Jersey to John Joseph Brown Sr. and Myrtle Elizabeth Brown. She was number five of six children.  She was raised by two parents who loved Jehovah and taught her to love him too.  Ruth dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of his witnesses on December 25, 1959.  She attended Long Branch public schools and graduated from Long Branch High School in 1966. After graduation she worked at Shadow Lawn Savings Bank in Long Branch, New Jersey. She briefly moved to New York and worked at the Bowery Savings Bank in New York City. 

Ruth married Clarence Wesley Dean on October 5, 1968 and settled in Red Bank, New Jersey.  They attended the Fair Haven Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  She worked for over 25 years as a legal secretary while caring for two children, first Aaron and then five years later Adrienne and of course, Clarence.  The family moved to Neptune, New Jersey in 1982 where they developed many lifelong friends. Ruth and Clarence moved to Florence, South Carolina in 1996 to assist in the care of her father.  After moving to Florence, South Carolina she started C & R Dean Tax Services.  She attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Cashua Dr. and then Alligator Rd. 

Ruth enjoyed life and was a fun person to be around. Everyone who really knew her loved her.  She was a kind, compassionate, generous, loving person who would do what she could to help anyone.  There are so many stories of people she taught, consoled and inspired.  Ruth loved her Akita’s, Midnight and Thunder.  She displayed tremendous hospitality on many occasions by hosting Branch and Circuit representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses who visited the area (they loved her cooking). She enjoyed talking about her God, Jehovah and the future paradise.  She touched the hearts of all who studied the Bible with her.  She enjoyed cooking and was exceptional at that art.  She shared many recipes with family and friends. Ruth loved the beach, enjoyed reading novels, family vacations, spending time with her girlfriends, traveling and meeting new people.  Of all the things she loved and enjoyed the most was her children, grandchildren and great grand.

She will be truly missed by her family, friends, the congregation and her Heavenly Father, Jehovah.  How we will rejoice when we are reunited with her in Jehovah’s New World to come under the rule of his dear son, Christ Jesus!

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Myrtle Brown, her brother, John Jr., special sister, Jheri Daniels, brother-in-law, Peter Gallego and niece, Zina Boyd. She is survived by her dear husband of 54 years, Clarence Wesley Dean; son, Aaron (Jacqueline) Dean of Eatontown, NJ; daughter, Adrienne Dean of Columbia, SC; four grandsons, Troy, Elijah, Jayden and Dallas; one granddaughter, Adriana; one great grandson, Julian; brother, Frank (Carole) Brown of Long Branch, NJ; three sisters, Natalie Gallego of Sunnyvale, CA; Gloria (Marvin) Russell of Florence, SC; JoAnn (Jerome) Thomas of Quinby, SC; sisters-in-law, Jestine Brown of Northport, AL, Caroline Carson of Red Bank, NJ; uncle, Jerome (Kathy) Hamlin of Long Branch, NJ; aunt, Ernestine Juett of Long Branch, NJ; seven nieces, Monica, Colette, Michelle, LaVonne, Naomi, Rhonda and Rebekah; three nephews, Jonathan, Peter Jr., and Lorenzo as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial Service on Saturday, March 11, 2023 @ 2:00 PM

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

1215 Alligator Rd.

Effingham, SC 29541

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Dean, please visit our floral store.