Ralph J. Dean

A native of Macon County, he was a son of the late John H. and Candace McCoy Dean. He was also preceded in death by his wife Vivian Stephenson Dean; and a son, Stephen Brooks Dean.

Mr. Dean attended Mars Hill College and received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education from Western Carolina University. He taught for 32 years first in Canton then with most of his career at Candler Elementary School. He was a former member and 1972 president of Candler Lions Club and at the time of his death he was vice-president of the Enka Lions Club. He was a member of the NC Retired Teachers’ Association and was the 1972 president of the Western Carolina University Alumni Association.

He is survived by one daughter, Gail Huggins of Candler; three grandchildren, Robert Huggins and his wife Caryn of Candler and Gregory and Adam Huggins; one sister, Lolita Dean of Franklin; one half-sister, Annie Ruth Cabe of Franklin; two half brothers, Dale and Eugene Dean of Franklin; and a son and daughter of the heart, Jerry and Judy Eplee of Candler.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Saturday at Abernethy United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Patrick Welch and the Rev. Stewart Humphrey officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

His family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue where Mr. Dean will remain until being placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Enka Lions Club, PO Box 250, Enka, NC 28728, or to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806.