Katherine Tyler Steel Dean

Katherine Tyler Steel Dean, age 78, of Conway, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her four daughters, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. Kay was born on May 22, 1935, to Mary Frances Davidson Steel and Richard Tucker Steel in Fort Smith, Ark. She graduated from Conway High School in 1952 where she was in the marching band and was a drum majorette. Kay graduated from Hendrix College in 1955 with a major in Speech and English. After teaching school, for one year she worked for Mobil Oil Company where she met the love of her life, William Joseph Dean. The couple married on May 23, 1959, and together they owned Bill Dean Chevrolet in Conway until his death in 1989. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Anne Davidson Steel Wolfe. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, member of Chapter E, PEO, Hendrix Alumni Association, and Conway Junior Auxiliary. In addition to enjoying her 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sewing, fishing, and painting, she built several miniature dollhouses and handmade their furnishings. Kay is survived by her four daughters, Diane Booth (Gates) of Conway, Sara Ward of Conway, Suzy Bell (Randy) of Rogers, Ark., and Nancy Avra of Conway. Mrs. Dean was "K-Momma" to 18 grandchildren: Ben Booth (Cassie) of Fayetteville, Ark., Andrew Booth (Laci) of Conway, Michael Booth of Conway, Mollie Parks (Nik) of New York City, Sam Booth of Conway, Nate Booth of Fayetteville, Brian Ward (Shelly) of Conway, Landon Ward of Bryant, Ark., Meghan Ward of Conway, Emily Pruett (John) of Rogers, Alex Bell (Lauren) of Rogers, Austin Bell (Emily) of Memphis, Tenn., Owen Bell (Amy) of Memphis, Justin Avra of Conway, Drew Avra (Shannon) of Little Rock, Jake Avra of Herndon, Va., Daren Avra of Portland, Ore., and Jordan Avra of Conway. Visitation will be 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at First United Methodist Church in Conway. Burial to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marshal T. Steel Endowment Fund at Hendrix College or First United Methodist Church of Conway.