MADISON - Betty Ruth Dean of Madison, formerly of Hoopers Island, passed away on Nov. 22, 2017 at UMSMC at Dorchester. Born Mar. 23, 1929 at Drawbridge, she was the third daughter of the late F. Myles Lankford and Helen Marshall Lankford.
Betty attended school in Vienna. On Dec. 6, 1963 she married Brice Dean who preceded her in death in 2000. She was proud to be employed for many years as a waitress for restaurants in Cambridge, especially the Old High Spot Restaurant. After moving to Hoopers Island in 1965 Betty and her husband Brice made crab pots for many local watermen.
Betty was well known locally for her gifted talent in crocheting and needle work. She was very interested in her family's heritage. Attending Delmarva Community Services and playing bingo with The Old Timer's at St John's Church Golden Hill, were her greatest pleasures.
In 2014 illness led Betty to live with her sister, Gloria and brother in-law Phillip (Boy) Frazier in Madison.
She is survived by a daughter, Jo Ann Tarr (David) of Salisbury; step-daughter, Donna Noble (Hal) of Salisbury; stepson, Richard Dean (Shirley) of Hurlock; sisters, Gloria Frazier (Boy) of Madison, and Phyllis Willey (Paul) of Atlanta, Ga. Surviving grandchildren are Thomas Ashton, Jr., Jamie Ashton (Jenny), Richard Dean II (Melody), Ryan Dean (Robin) and Kasey Smith (Steve). Surviving great grandchildren are Thomas Ashton III, Carolina Ashton, Jamie Ashton Jr., Jason Ashton, Amber Dean, Autumn Dean, Sydney Smith, Noah Wayne Smith, Gabriel Smith and Joshua Dean Smith. Betty is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death are her brothers, Earl, Donald and Gorman Lankford; sisters, Myrtle Lankford, Mildred Webster and Esther Fletcher; grandson, Jeffrey Ashton; and great-great granddaughter, MacKenzie McGee; nephews, Wayne Webster and J.C. Webster; nieces, Theresa Johnson and Romona Insley.
A graveside funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 at Dorchester Memorial Park with David Tolley officiating. Pallbearers were Thomas Ashton, Jr., Ryan Dean, Hal Noble, Thomas Frazier, Myles Frazier and Jacob Kenny.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Dorchester Community Services, 1490 Cambridge Beltway, Cambridge, Maryland 21613 and The Old Timers, c/o Kay Bradshaw, 3503 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, Maryland 21622.
Arrangements entrusted to Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home, P.A.
To send online condolences visit www.newcombcollins.com