Carolyn Ruth Green Dean

CAROLYN RUTH GREEN DEAN left this earthly life Thursday, January 15, 2015. She was born December 19, 1930 in Malvern, Ark. She was the daughter of Joe Lee "Sam" Green and Esther Elizabeth Campbell Green. Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Lee Green Jr. She is survived by her husband, Francis Arthur (Frank) Dean, Jr.; son, Steven Arthur Dean and Lori; daughter, Janet Elizabeth Dean; brother, Edward Campbell (Eddie) Green and Mary, and sister, Judith Nan (Judy) Green Faulkner Englund and Richard (Dick). She had five grandchildren: Ashley Elizabeth Warren and Jason, Rebecca Diane Gaffigan and Aaron, Lauren Michelle Mokretsov, Bethany Blair Dean and Harrison Arthur Dean. She also had six great-grand children. Carolyn had many, many cousins, nieces and nephews; all of whom she loved dearly. Carolyn graduated from Malvern High School, salutatorian of her class and attended College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark. where she met and later married Frank on May 28, 1950. Her life was filled with caring for her family and teaching children; both private school and church school. She was an excellent cook and made so many pies and cakes for church functions that when Steve and Janet were younger children, they would invariably ask her "is this for us or the church", when she started baking something. Long before public schools provided kindergarten, she started teaching pre-school and kindergarten at the Darnall school where she later became its director. She retired from there after 30 wonderful years. Public school first grade teachers were always delighted to get her graduates because they were so well prepared. Carolyn was loved by her students and their parents and was constantly stopped in grocery stores and other public areas by students, parents and grandparents for a happy visit. Many former students who stopped to visit her are now parents themselves. After retirement, Carolyn tutored kindergartners and first graders at Brady Elementary school until she became ill. She received recognition for her volunteer work from the Little Rock School District and Brady Elementary school. Her entire family and many, many friends were both blessed by her life and saddened that she is now gone. However, we all look forward to someday being in her presence again. A visitation will be held Sunday, January 18th, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home. The graveside service will be Monday, January 19th, 2015 at 10 a.m. in Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Arkansas, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. in St. Paul United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.