Nanley Kay Dean's Obituary
Funeral Service for Ms. Nanley Kay Dean, 80, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Alexander City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home.
Nanley Kay Dean, a beacon of creativity and kindness, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. Born into the embrace of Herman Lee Dean and Emma Louise Dean, Kay inherited a spirit that would touch the lives of many through her own expressions of art and care. A proud 1962 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School, Kay's journey was marked by accomplishments and service. She was a woman whose hands painted the world in vibrant colors, winning several awards for her oil paintings that captured the essence of beauty and life. Her creativity extended to the culinary arts, where she decorated beautiful cakes for numerous people, each a masterpiece that sweetened life's celebrations.
Kay's passion for nurturing extended beyond her family as she worked several years at Harbor Learning Academy. There, she provided nourishing meals and care to many children, leaving a legacy of love and dedication that will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Her generous spirit and warm heart made her an integral part of the academy's community, where she was not just an employee but a cherished figure. Her commitment to her faith was unwavering. Kay was an active member of the Primitive Baptist church, where she served as a bookkeeper, ensuring the church's foundation was as strong as the faith it upheld. When the church doors opened, Kay was there, singing, worshiping, and fellowshipping with a devotion that was both inspiring and steadfast.
Kay's life was a garden of joy, which she tended with the same love and attention as she did her flowers. Her interests reflected her inner beauty and the joy she found in life's simple pleasures. Gardening was not just a hobby but a testament to her ability to cultivate and grow the beauty that surrounded her.Described by those who knew her best as creative, kind, and spirited, Kay's impact was as profound as it was gentle. She lived her life as a testament to the values she held dear, and her legacy is one of love, artistry, and devotion.
Kay is survived by her loving family, including her Daughter, Shayna Lynn Fratto (Gino) of Monroe, NY; Stepson, William Frederick Haskell (Rackel); Step-grandchildren, Alison Samson (David) and Dylan Haskell; Grandchildren, Gaven Anthony Freer and Aaron John Fratto; Brother, Joe Dean (Iris); and Sister's-in-law, Jean Dean and Lovey Dean. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss her dearly.
Kay's passage into eternal rest was preceded by her beloved Father, Herman Lee Dean; Mother, Emma Louise Dean; Brothers, Kenny Dean, Bufrey Dean, and Ronnie Dean; and Sister-in-law, Betty Dean and Brenda Dean.
Kay's life was a beautiful canvas, a composition of love, art, and faith that will continue to inspire and guide those she has left behind. As we celebrate her life, we hold tight to the memories of her warmth, her laughter, and the indelible mark she has left on our hearts. Nanley Kay Dean's story is not one of an ending but a continuing legacy of the beauty and kindness she so freely shared with the world. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the lives of those she touched.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Nanley Kay Dean.
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