Marian Elizabeth Willingham - Deans

Marian Deans was born on July 6, 1927 in Oakland, California and transitioned from this earth to her heavenly home on April 19, 2021. She lived her 93 years on this earth loving and caring for others and sharing her wit and humor even through her last days. She had an adventurous spirit and began raising her five children in the Ozarks in Missouri and eventually ventured to Oklahoma where she settled for the next 50 years. She lived her final two years in Mississippi with her daughter and in her words her "favorite son-in-law" under the wonderful care of Encompass Hospice. She was very proud of all her five children and always wanted them to be happy and loved. She was a retired nurse that was well respected and began her nursing career at the age of 19 and as she loved to say was trained by the physicians. She only took time off from nursing to start a family. She had a compassionate spirit that loved to help and encourage others and was proud of her nursing career, especially working in emergency services. She had a love for drawing, especially horses and landscapes and hand-painted birthday cards. While all her drawings are cherished, her beautiful birthday cards have been cherished by friends, sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She loved singing gospel songs, playing her harmonica and accordion, reading, watching Wheel of Fortune and anything to do with being outdoors and animals. She especially loved horses (Midnight Rose), birds (Tommy) and dogs(Rover, Taffy and Tag). She was blessed for her 93 years on this earth, with the last two being fought courageously and energetically even after a terminal diagnosis reminding us all of the preciousness of life. Her living loved ones include: Her daughter, Joyce (Sam) Phillips and their 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Joan Clark and her 2 children and 2 grandchildren Her daughter in law, Patricia McNeill and her 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Her daughter Jean McNeill and her child and 3 grandchildren. Her daughter, Jesica (Larry Rich) Dodson, and their 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Her sister, Emma Lou (John) Spire Her brother, John (Donna) Perkins She will also be missed by several cousins, nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Elva Perkins, a brother, Thomas Perkins and her only son Lee Roy McNeill. Her family and friends will miss her here on this earth, her laugh, her wit and her adventurous stories, but there is great comfort in knowing that she is in the presence of her Lord and Savior, singing and praising Him for all He has given for her. Graveside service will take place at Stroud Cemetery in Stroud, Oklahoma Monday April 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.