James (J.E.) Dean, 73, of Shelbyville, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. He was born in Shelbyville on March 11, 1938 to Emmitt Dean and Ima Cummings Dean. J.E. was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a great friend. He was a member of New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011 at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Billy Windham and Bro. Del Pate officiating. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Chambliss, Brant Graves, Cody Lewis, Tony Denby, Keith Jefferson and Robert Amburn. Honorary pallbearers will be David Lindley and Jerrell Goings.

He is survived by:
Wife, Sherry Dean of Shelbyville

Daughter, Debbie Gilchrist and husband, Scott of Shelbyville

Son, Clint Tanner and wife, Thea of Center

Grandson, Aaron Gilchrist of Shelbyville

Granddaughter, Beth Tanner of Center

Four Step Grandchildren, Ammie Woolf, Kelly Miller, Brian Gilchrist and Calyn Gilchrist

Four Step Great Grandchildren

Sisters:
Lois Weeks of Houston
Pearl Jefferson of Bossier City, Louisiana

Sisters-in-law:
Patricia Dean Permenter of Shelbyville
Joyce Singleton and husband, George of Tyler
Jolynn Lewis of Shreveport, Louisiana

Brother-in-law, David Graves and wife, Tina of Logansport, Louisiana

A number of nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
Parents, Emmit and Ima Cummings Dean
One Brother, Clinton Lee Dean

We are so thankful for the blessing you have been in our lives. You are the "Greatest Poppa!" Thank you for taking care of us. I hope I'm half the "parent" you didn't have to be. Love, Debbie & Clint