Geraldean “Dean” Self-Allen, 97, passed from this life Thursday, June 21.

Dean was born Thursday, July 15, 1920 in Buffalo Valley, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Mattie Pullum Lovelady and Benjamin Harrison Winfree. In addition to her parents, Dean was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Thomas Clayton Self, and her husband Bishop James Allen, brother Mel Winfree, two sisters Jessie Hascher and Opal Frasier, and son William James Self.

Dean is survived by her daughter Shirley Pessl, four grandchildren Gail Dziedzic and husband Jerry, Melodie Stancavage and husband Zigmund, Dr. Monika Pessl-Norheim, Anne Klaiven and husband Eirik, eight great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Dean was a 40-year member and Sunday School Teacher at Blues Hill Presbyterian Church in Tennessee and a member of Naples Community Church in Naples, Fla. She was a member of the Wataga Chapter of the DAR in Memphis, and wrote articles for the Southern Standard newspaper. She was always active in her church and community, ever ready to discuss religion and politics. She had a quick wit, loved to laugh, loved her family and friends, and most of all, loved her God.

Funeral service was Monday at Gardens of Memory Funeral Home. Interment followed at DeKalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville. Online condolences may be made at gardensofmemoryfuneralhome.com.

Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) June 27, 2018