Era LaVerne Dean, age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 4, 2018 in her home at Sun Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Prosser, WA.
She was born to Harley and Lois Adcock on January 1, 1931 in Soper, Oklahoma. Era was the second child in a family of eight. She was raised and educated in Soper and Rattan, Oklahoma. The Adcock family moved from Oklahoma to California in 1947 where they worked in the cotton fields before going onto Washington in
January of 1948. They made their home in Prosser and farmed forty acres on the Rosa while living in a tent until their house was built on Hanks and district Line road. Era met her future husband, Basis Dean, when he stopped to help her with a stalled car. Basil and Era were married on March 8, 1951 in Prosser and the couple raised six children. The two were married for 53 years until Basil’s death in 2004.
Era worked at Prosser Pack for eleven years and then in 1975 found her favorite job, driving school bus for the Prosser School District. She also drove bus for special needs children to the Tri-Cities as well as a volunteer bus drive for the Prosser Transit System. After twenty years of devoted service, Era retired in 1995.
She was a member of the church of God in Prosser and enjoyed listening to Joel Osteen and Billy Graham on television. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Lower Valley Bowling Association and also loved fishing, playing bingo and an occasional gambling trip to Winnemucca. Most of all, Era’s family was her pride and joy. She enjoyed family gatherings, attending her kids and grandkids sporting events and especially the annual Dean Family camping trips to Ohanapecosh, Mt. Rainer.
Era is survived by her children, Marcia Petersen (Brent) of Prosser, Terry Dean (Nancy) of Spokane, Patty Yahne (Joe), Janet Dean, Anita Chambers (Terry) and Rhonda Edwards (Marshall), all of Prosser; fifteen grandchildren, Laura, Nate, Brandon, Tyler, Joe Jr., Kerry,Alicia, Megan, Dustin, Molly, Amanda, Matthew, Kyle, Nick and Ashley; twenty great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Milford Adcock of San Diego and sisters, Sue Michaelsen of Prosser and Deretha Goodson of Richland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Basil Dean; her brothers, Olen Adcock and J.O. Adcock; and her sisters, Ruth Cope and Evelyn Hadsel.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Prosser Funeral Home. Era’s Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 9th, at the Prosser Friendship Baptist Church. Concluding services and burial will follow at the Prosser Cemetery. The Dean Family invites all of Mom’s friends and family to attend a potluck following the graveside service at the Friendship Baptist Church.
We would like to thank everyone for your kind words and thoughtful prayers. A special thank you to Sun Terrace for taking such good care of our mother. Most of all, we would like to thank our Mama for her dedication and love to our family. We all love you Mom, Your, Family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Prosser Boys and Girls Club or Mustangs for Mustangs. You may leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com