Frank

Dean

Frank Bienville Dean, age 83, the youngest child of the late Rudolph Dean, Sr. and the late Allar Jones Dean was born February 13, 1934 in the Vernal Chapel Community of Jackson, AL. He departed this life February 13, 2017 at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, AL.

Frank grew up and received his first years of schooling at Vernal Chapel School. He graduated from Harper High School in Jackson, Al and furthered his education at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL where he was an active participant in the Marching Band. While at Alabama State, Frank became active in the Civil Rights Movement. He served as a body guard for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
After graduating from Alabama State in 1958, he returned to Clarke County and worked as a teacher at Wilson Hall High School where he started the school's first marching band. The band appeared on television many times in Mardi Gras parades.

While employed at Wilson Hall, Frank was instrumental in obtaining equal pay for black teachers in Clarke County. After 10 years of teaching in Clarke County, he joined the faculty at Selma University, Selma, AL, where he taught biology, started a band, and served as Financial Aid Officer.

After accepting the call into the ministry, Rev. Dean served as pastor of his home church, Vernal Chapel Bapt. Church. He later pastored the historic Mt. Nebo Bapt. Church (Carlton), Pine Chapel #2 Bapt. Church (Toddtown), and finally returning to once again pastor Vernal Chapel Bapt. Church. Upon retiring from Selma University, he served as Moderator of the Union Missionary Baptist District Association for many years and was active in the Bethel Missionary Baptist District Association as well.

For many years Rev. Dean owned and operated his own construction company, and The Youth Garden, a children's clothing store.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four devoted brothers, Rudolph Dean, Jr., Spurgeon Dean, Jerome Dean, and Hildred Dean; five devoted sisters, Allar B. Scott, Magaline Stewart, Ardellar Gross, Florence Dean, and Alice Etheredge, and a devoted cousin, Edmond Dean.

He is survived by a son, Bienville Keith Dean and family of Selma, Al; god son, Rev. Thaddeus J.Z. (Xiomara) Douglas, Sr. of Jackson, AL; god daughter, Chelsia Ivee Douglas of Mobile, AL; devoted sister-in-law, Deloris "Doshia" Dean of Jackson, AL; devoted cousin, Melva Dean of Mobile, AL; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Viewing Sunday Feb. 19, 2017, 1pm until the 2pm service at Vernal Chapel Baptist Church, 156 Dean Martin Road, Jackson, AL; Rev. Brian Chapman, pastor; Rev. E G. Scott, eulogist. Following burial in the church cemetery, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church. Services with sympathetic care and legendary professionalism entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home, 800 Depot Road, Jackson, AL. Condolences to the family at www.andrewsfuneralhomejackson.com and on Andrews Funeral Home Facebook page.