Mary Louise Dean, age 94, of Brevard, NC died peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones in Lincolnton, NC on October 28, 2026.

Mary was born in Transylvania County, NC on July 14, 1932. She was the eldest child of D. Guy Dean, Sr. and Annie Marie Hamilton Dean, and had a brother, D. Guy Dean, Jr., sister Frances Marie Dean Armstrong, and sister Martha Ann Dean who died during childbirth.

Mary graduated from Brevard High School, completed her Associate of Arts degree at Brevard College in 1952, and then her Batchelor of Arts in education at Furman University in 1954, all with honors. Her Brevard College yearbook entry described her as “busy and full of plans!” She started her career as an elementary teacher at Penrose Elementary, eventually moving to Charlotte, NC where she taught fifth grade for more than 30 years, also serving as an assistant principal.

Mary’s life was devoted to service. She received letters years after she retired from former students thanking her for shaping their lives and acknowledging the impact she had on their own careers. After she retired, she continued her service as caregiver to her mother Annie, her brother-in-law Mack and her sister Frances through prolonged illnesses. While she had dreams of her own, she put those aside for most of her life to care for others, always unselfishly and with the greatest of love.

Mary did take some time to see the world. She traveled to NY City with her cousins, toured the West in the United States, and took a trip with her close friend Julia through Europe. She was not afraid to try new things and have wonderful experiences. She will be fondly remembered for sending greeting cards to friends and family for birthdays, anniversaries, and every special occasion.

Mary is survived by her nephews, Floyd Daniel Armstrong (Kim) of Miami, FL, Mark Wesley Armstrong (Kelly) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and niece Carolyn McCraw Durham (Rick) of Raleigh, NC; nephews Matthew Armstrong of Miami, FL, Austin McCraw (Natasha) of Land O’ Lakes, FL, Timothy Armstrong (Ana) of Miami, FL, Mason Armstrong of Charlotte, NC, Carson McCraw (Britney) of Raleigh, NC, Josh Armstrong of Tampa, FL, and Alex Armstrong of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and grand nephews and nieces Leighton, Rayden, Jameson, Raylan, Madison, and Ellis. She is also survived by cousins from across North Carolina who were close to one another for their entire lives and by her special angels, Kerrie Thomas and Tony Dellinger.

The family expresses the deepest gratitude to Kim Jones and the dedicated caregiving team at Stress Free, and to Dr. Boateng and the wonderful hematology/oncology team at Atrium Health in Lincoln County.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to the Williams Syndrome Foundation, the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development, or McKendree Methodist Church.

Viewing and receiving of friends will be held at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory (181 Caldwell Street in Brevard, NC) at 9:30 am on Monday, November 2, 2026. A procession will follow to the Blue Ridge Garden of Memory for a graveside service for close friends and family at 11am.

Moody Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.