Obituary - Ann F. Dean

Mrs. A.F. Dean died at her home in Sheridan on Monday morning, February 7th, 1916, of a disease incident to old age. She was born in Davie Co, North Carolina, and at her death was 74 years, 6 months and 8 days old. At the age of 15 she, with her parents, moved to Knightstown, Indiana, where they lived for two years and in the fall of 1856 they moved to Illinois.

Several years later she met and married Basil Hill, her maiden name being Gowin. Six children were born to this unions, two of whom died in infancy, she being left a widow when her youngest child was quite small. While always appearing physically frail and delicate, Mrs. Dean was a woman of indomitable will, courage and ambition, and during the long years of her widowhood she made a great effort and brave fight to support her four fatherless children, all of whom were with her and contributed to the loving care of her during her last illness.

On January 22, 1891, at Litchfield, Nebraska, she married Rev. Sylvester Dean, and four years later was again left a widow.

The four children left to mourn the loss of their mother are, Mrs. Orie Ferguson of Salem, Mrs. Winnie Hammond of Stayton, Clifton Hill of Sheridan, and James Hill of McMinnville, and she also leaves nine grandchildren, three brothers, four sisters and a host of friends to mourn her death.

Our sympathy goes out to the bereaved relatives and friends but their loss is her gain. She not only exemplified Christian integrity up to the time of her affliction, but during long weary days of pain and suffering, she, was ever resigned to the will of the Lord.

Ah, the name of Mother and all it implies, ever watchful love and self sacrifices. The loving mother and grandmother, the affectionate sister, the constant friend, is gone. How sweetly she sleeps the last sleep, safe in the consciousness of a Christian faith she passed peacefully into that world above the stars.

Close gently the eyes that have shed their last tear, lay the hands across the bosom that has heaved its last sigh, and place her gently in a Christian grave that is written full of the prophesies of a resurrection. Her life will be a tender and treasured memory while the lives of those she loved shall last, and their consolation in sorrow is the faith that she now is among the ever blessed in the house not made with hands.

We miss thee Mother, miss thee here and often drop the silent tear, how oft we pause, but pause in vain to hear thy welcome voice again.

This obituary was contributed by Judy #48796369

Children:

Eddy 1868
Thomas E. 1869
Clifton J. 1877
James Enoch 1880
Ora Ellen 1872
Winnie Elizabeth 1875


Married second husband
Rev. Sylvester Dean
22 Jan 1891 in Litchfield NE

Reverend Sylvester Dean died in 1894