Maxine Dean

DEAN, G. MAXINE, 90, was born January 26, 1922 in Nowata County, Oklahoma, and died October 17, 2012. In 1941, she married Rev. Jack Dean, and ministered side by side with him to churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Bowie, Maryland, where they moved in 1964 to organize Grace Baptist Church.

Effective as a pastor's wife, a Sunday school teacher, a choir director and soloist, and in demand as an inspirational speaker and writer, Mrs. Dean was also successful in the secular world, attending Northeastern State College, Stillwater Oklahoma from 1939 to 1941. After moving to the National Capitol Area, she worked 32 years in the House of Representatives. First, as a secretary for the Small Business Committee; as a staff assistant to Representative John Dowdy of Texas, and as an Administrative Assistant to Congressman Carlos Moorhead of California. She and Congressman Moorhead retired together from Capitol Hill in December, 1996, both age 75.

Active in politics, Mrs. Dean served as President of the Republican Women of Capitol Hill, and was a member of the Republican Women's Federal Forum and of the Prince George's County Republican Club.

While serving as Assistant Director of Meeting Arrangements for the American Baptist Association (A position she held from 1959 to 2001), Mrs. Dean brought a Resolution from the church at Snyder, Texas to organize a National Ladies Auxiliary for the group. She was Publicity Director for that national auxiliary from its inception in 1959 until she retired her white tennis shoes in 2001. She served one term as President, and was a co-author of its operational handbook, in addition to a Girls Auxiliary Manual.

Mrs. Dean is survived by her daughter Jacqueline D. Byrd of Bowie, Maryland, and by two grand-children Deborah Maxine Babcock of Bowie, Maryland and Jason Neal Byrd of Arnold, Maryland. Also surviving her are seven great-grandchildren: Toby Nathaniel, Anna Jacqueline, Jack Andrew, Timothy James and Lillie Rachel Babcock of Bowie, Maryland and Jason Neal and Samuel Richard Byrd of Arnold, Maryland. Her son-in-law, Toby Neal Byrd, her grandson-in-law Nathaniel James Babcock, both of Bowie, Maryland and her granddaughter-in-law, Erin MacKenzie Byrd of Arnold, Maryland also survive her, along with her brother, James M. Poynor, Jr., of Bowie Maryland and New York City.

Maxine Dean was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Jack Dean, her father and mother James M. and Lillie Roberts Poynor, her brothers Lory Robert Poynor and Kenneth Poynor and her sisters Lillian Irene Kesner, Chlora Mae Stiles and Velma Deaton.

Friends and family are deeply saddened by the loss of this truly special woman. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a caring grandmother and a tireless servant for the people of Grace Baptist Church. We celebrate her positive impact on the countless number of people touched by her generosity and caring. We will miss her energetic spirit and her loving and compassionate nature, but the legacy of her remarkable contributions to her family, friends, church, the Congress of the United States and her community will be treasured in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Grace Baptist Church, 7210 Race Track Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715, to the Maxine Dean Memorial Fund.

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