MELVIA ELLA CHERRY DEAN was born in Gary, IN, on September 3, 1940, to Rev. Rayford Henry and Celestine Doris Cherry. She was the sixth child and fourth daughter in the Cherry Family. She would always follow her oldest sister, Olvetta, holding her hand, when it was time to walk the two blocks to Christ Temple Church. She was a member of the CT-5 until she moved away. She led Sunday School, Worship Service, and HYPU. She attended Roosevelt High School from kindergarten through graduation in June 1958. She gave her life to the Lord at the age of 10 and was baptized by Pastor Johnnie Peterson. She met Willie Dean of Chicago and married on April 17, 1960. To this union, 5 children were born: Rayford, William, Joycelyn, Julian, and Walter.

She liked to read, write, and work, and loved to recite dramatic poetry, "The Crucifixion", "Psalm 91", "The Creation," and other poetry. She decided to complete her education and graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor's Degree in 1989 and from Olivet Nazarene University with 2 Master's Degrees, one in 1995 and the other in 1998. She and her family joined the Chicago Heights Church of the Nazarene in 1982. She received many outstanding awards: Who's Who American Teachers, 2002-2004; English Teacher Award at Forest Trail Junior High School; National Honor Society, 2 years; and Outstanding Teacher Award, 2005-2006. She taught in public schools for over 25 years and retired from teaching in 2014. She was called to the Ministry to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1993. While at the Church of the Nazarene, she served as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Pastor, Choir Director, and Bible Teacher for the Women's Ministry.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Willie Dean; his parents, Walter Dean and Lucille Lewis; her son, Julian L. Dean; her parents, Elder Rayford & Celestine Cherry, Willie and Esther Cherry, Bishop James and Olvetta Mitchell, Jerome Cherry, Ruthia Cherry, and F. Jean Johnson.

She leaves to cherish loving children: Rayford Dean, Sr., of Maryland, William (Belinda) Dean of Maine, Joycelyn Dean-Wolf of Texas, and Walter Dean of Florida. She also leaves her loving grandchildren, Alexandria Dean, Marcus Dean, Rayford Dean, Jr., Jacquelyn Dean, Samantha (Lance) Askins, and Jeremiah Dean. Her two remaining siblings are Julius (Sharon) Cherry of Georgia and Joyce A. Harris of Indiana. She leaves a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, neighbors, and the church family.

HE HOLDS MY HAND!