Betty Ruth Dean's Obituary
Evangelist Betty Ruth Avery Dean, age 75, of Monticello, Georgia, transitioned peacefully on Thursday, October 18, 2018, after a long battle with kidney disease.
Evangelist Dean was born January 3, 1943, to the late James Avery Jr. and Annie Ruth Davis Avery. She leaves behind her loving husband of 19 years, Bobby Dean; six children, Patti L. Welch, Mario Avery (Diana), Maria Stancil (Preston), Darcus Briley, Sojourner T. Briley (Vernette), and Feltus "Malcolm" Briley, Jr. , two step-daughters , Kelly Richardson (Todd), Tracey-Briley Samadi (Mohand), 19 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Evangelist Dean was born In Monroe, Georgia where she often spoke of the love she experienced as a child especially the times she shared with her eight siblings, Dorothy Tuggle (d), Charles Avery, Clark Avery (d), Herbert Avery (d), Ralph Avery (d), Ruby Avery (d), Artis Avery and Helen Avery. She enjoyed the country as she and her siblings played in the woods, ate from the trees, and enjoyed the closeness of extended family members who lived nearby. She and several of her siblings were musically inclined. Her brothers formed a singing group named the "Traveling Tunes," that song in local churches, schools and events. As she grew older, she and her sister Ruby would often join the brothers as a solo act. The family passion was gospel music geared towards their faith and mirroring her Mother's strong belief in Jesus Christ.
The older brothers moved to Atlanta in the Fall of 1956 and changed the group name to the "Margilators."
The family moved to Atlanta in the early 60s following the brothers where they joined the Jones Avenue Church of God In Christ, founded by the late, Bishop George Briley, Sr. Evangelist Dean was in the Mass Choir. Betty proved to have a sweet, strong soprano voice and was immediately recognized for her extraordinary voice and invited to sing all over the city in affiliated churches. She joined many ministries throughout her lifetime and later became ordained as an Evangelist as she worked tirelessly for the Lord by forming children's gospel choirs, hosting church programs, ministering, and volunteering her time for a myriad of church events.
Evangelist Dean held many jobs but her career as a Health Home Nurse was the most rewarding and the career which she retired.
Evangelist Dean married Bobby Dean of Grantville, Georgia, October 29, 1999. She loved her in-laws immensely. At Bobby's parents home in Grantville, is where they enjoyed horseback riding, softball, barbecue outings, and of course, plenty of gospel singing as Bobby had is band and the intermingled families came together for fun and praise.
In the early 2000s, Evangelist Dean established the King's Table church in Monroe, Georgia. To ensure the children had somewhere to go on Sunday morning, she would pick them up for worship services. Although she was not able to continue the brick and mortar building In Monroe, Evangelist Dean established a social media page under the church name and continued her ministry with daily teachings, bible trivia, and a host of scriptural references and songs. Evangelist Dean remained a faithful soldier to the end, continuing to support her family and praising the Lord through her pain. She will be dearly missed by many.
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