Mable Jean Dean

Mable Jean Dean, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in Carrollton, Texas. She was born on March 8, 1932, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Stephens Douglas Penland and Willie Dennis (Patton) Penland.

Mable grew up in Birmingham, moved to Miami for a short time, and then moved to Lakeland, GA. She returned to Birmingham during her Senior year in high school where she graduated. Upon graduation, she moved back to Lakeland, Georgia. She met the love of her life, Air Force Lt. Glenn Dean. While in Lakeland, Mable worked at Patton Seed Co. and had the honor of serving as the Lanier County Tobacco Queen of 1951.

Mable and Glenn married in Lakeland, Georgia, in 1954. Their journey together took them across the country and abroad. They were stationed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1954 to 1955before being transferred to Yuma, Arizona, where their son, Glenn Jr., was born. They remained there from 1955 to 1957 before being transferred to Panama City, Florida, from 1957 to 1962. Their daughter, Vicki, was born in 1959. In 1962, the family moved to Madrid, Spain, where they were stationed until 1964. Upon returning to the United States, they were stationed at Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas, until Glenn's retirement in 1969.

In 1970, the Dean family moved to Irving, Texas, where Mable began her career as a medical receptionist and insurance specialist for the Bone & Joint Clinic and the Medical Surgical Clinic dedicating over 15 years of service. She took immense pride in her contributions and the relationships she built throughout her career.

Mable was an active and engaged member of her community. She was a proud member of the Air Force Officers’ Wives Club, participated in the PTA, den mother, and enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Society. A longtime member of Irving Bible Church, Mable found joy in serving with various women groups(who can forget her lively appearance at the retreats?), Journey Class and was a dedicated member of the cooking team for many years. She traveled extensively from Austria to Australia and Canada to the Caribbean riding camels to breakfast, dunking in waterfalls, snow and water skiing with lots of places and adventures in-between.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, her parents‘Brother Doug” and Willie Penland, her brother, Douglas Penland; and her sister, Elizabeth Howell.

Mable is survived by her loving children, Glenn Dean Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Carrollton, Texas, and Vicki Dean of Irving, Texas. She also leaves behind her cherished grandsons, Christopher Dean and his wife, Becca, of The Colony, Texas, and Patrick Dean and his wife, Miranda, of Irving, Texas, as well as her adored great-grandchildren, Eva Gray Dean, James Dean, and Isla Dean. She is also survived by her dear sister, Anita Scott of Arlington, Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Irving Bible Church with live streaming available and reception to follow. A private family graveside service will take place at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

Mable’s life was defined by love, service, and devotion to her family and community. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing her.