Shirley Mae (Harris) Dean left this Earth for her heavenly home on Monday, August 10, 2026. She was born on October 13, 1941, to the late George Wesley and Geneva Grace (Goodwin) Harris.
On June 20, 1959, she was united in marriage to William David Dean, Sr., who went to be with Jesus on February 28, 2025.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Junior V. and Wanda Harris; one sister and brother-in-law, Eva (Harris) and A.G. Trusler, Sr.; her father- and mother-in-law, Dexter W. and Marguerite Westfall Dean; and three brothers-in-law, Joe Strouth, Maynard Dean, and Gary Dean.
She is survived by her four children: Brenda (Dean) Snyder and husband Ron, David Dean, Jr. and wife Debbie, Daniel W. Dean and wife Billie, and Michael R. Dean and wife Kelli, all of Buckhannon; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one brother, Larrel W. Harris and wife Jean of Cincinnati, Ohio; four sisters-in-law, Margaret (Sis) Strouth, Debbie Rice and husband Kenny, Darlene Dean, and Debbie Dean; and one brother-in-law, Dwayne Dean and wife Vickie.
Shirley was a very hard worker all of her life. She loved canning and was proud of having her cellar full of vegetables, fruits, and different types of meats. Her greatest joy was cooking for her family.
She was the proud owner and administrator of Buckhannon Board and Care, Inc. for several years. She had a great love for the elderly and made sure they were well taken care of before leaving this world. She was a Christian by faith and a member of the Good Hope Tabernacle Church of Buckhannon.
The family extends their sincere appreciation to her wonderful caregivers, who loved her dearly: Mary Harper, Debra Queen, Rhonda Cerullo, and Stephanie Gower; and Adoration Hospice nurses, Stephanie Lane, social worker, and Chrissy Hull, chaplain.
The family will receive friends at the Good Hope Tabernacle on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at which time a funeral service will begin with Pastors Holly J. Hoover, Jerry Murrell, and Guy Ware officiating. Following the services, the body will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Kesling Mill Lions Club, c/o Carol Waybright, 2395 Kesling Mill Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201, or Adoration Hospice, 21 E. Main St., Ste. 301, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
Online condolences may be extended to the Dean family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Dean family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
