Horace L. Deans

Horace Lorenzo ?Lee? Deans, 88, a native of Churchland, died suddenly on May 17, 2011, and will be missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Erma Saunders Deans, and his father, Horace Lee Deans. He is survived by his sister Mary Way of Virginia Beach, VA, his children and grandchildren. Horace grew up in the farmlands of the tidewater, becoming an avid hunter and woodsman at an early age. After graduating from Churchland High School, he attended the University of Richmond before working at Nansemond Army Ammunition Depot. He answered his country?s call during World War II, serving in the US Army Ordnance Technical Intelligence in Europe. Following the war, he was Chief Ammunition Inspector with US 8th Army and Japan Logistical Command. Horace was a Safety Engineer with the Army Material Command and in 1982 he retired as a Safety Engineer with the Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board, Washington, DC. For his 40 years career, he was awarded the Defense Meritorious Civil Service Metal. Horace always said that he was doubly blessed to have loved and been loved by two wonderful women. Mary Hulbert Deans, the mother of his children, preceded him in death in 1998. In 2000, Horace returned to Churchland to marry his high school sweetheart, Jacquie Bland McCready Deans. They enjoyed almost ten years together before her death in 2009. Horace leaves behind three children, and eight grandchildren. His son, Parke Lee Deans, and his wife Margaret Sorensen Deans, of Abingdon, VA, and their children, Carole Margaret Deans of Deep Gap, NC, and Ruth Saunders Deans of Charlotte, NC remember ?Grampi?s? thoughtful prayers, and his love of the outdoors. His daughter, Susan Deans Riesett Morgan, of Lexington, NC, and her children, Patrick Thomas Riesett of Charlotte, NC, Chadwick Jay Riesett of Boone, NC and Stephanie Abbigail Riesett of Lexington, NC remember Grampi for his interest in their activities and accomplishments. His daughter, Virginia Hulbert Deans Richardson, and her husband Ronald Lee Richardson, of Conyers, GA and their children, Nicole Lee Richardson of Laurinburg, NC, Joseph Deans Richardson, and Eric Ronald Richardson of Conyers, GA will miss all the stories, poems and songs that Grampi shared with them. Horace influenced many young people, in addition to his children and grandchildren, through his work as a BSA Scoutmaster for 15 years, a loyal, hardworking member of the Kiwanis Club, and a member of various Veteran?s organizations. Special thanks to the many family and friends who surrounded Horace in his later years including Rennie Richardson, Jay Richardson and family, Kathy Richardson Shore and family, and Bill Richardson and family, Eddie Russell and family, Nina Randolph and family, Edna Addison and Henry Hamilton, Ann and Bryant Barnes, and Bobbie McCready Parrish. The committal and memorial service for Horace Deans will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Churchland Baptist Church with Dr. Lawrence Coleman and Dr. Dan Koger officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Churchland Baptist Church or Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve. Loving Funeral Home is serving the family.