Rev. Janes Dean Head

Rev. Janes Dean Head, age 86, of Cleveland passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016, at his home from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Janes Dean Head was born November 20, 1929, to the late D.G. Head and Carrie Lee Dorsey Head in Cleveland. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1946 and went on to the University of Georgia, Truett McConnell College, and the University of California at Los Angeles, graduating from UGA in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He taught and coached at Rochelle High School and Nacoochee High School. Dean joined the U.S. Army in 1955. On June 16, 1956, he married Bennie Jane Allison of Cleveland. They moved to Manhattan, Kansas to serve the remainder of his enlistment, In 1957, the young couple moved back to Georgia for Dean to attend Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1961. In his almost 40 years of ministry, Dean and Bennie Jane served 13 charges in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church including Sugar Hill UMC, Suwanee UMC, Hiawassee UMC, Woodstock UMC, Pleasant Grove UMC in Dalton, Toccoa First UMC, Monroe First UMC, Jackson First UMC, Clarkston UMC, Rock Spring UMC, Hinton Memorial UMC in Dacula, Shady Grove UMC in Union County, and Bethel UMC in Hall County.

In June of 1993, Dean and Bennie Jane returned to Cleveland to retire and to live in Bennie Jane’s childhood home. After his retirement, Dean volunteered for White County Respite Care, the White County Historical Society, served as chaplain for the American Legion, and organized activities for his high school reunions. He enjoyed woodworking and baking for others.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife Bennie Jane; brothers D.G. Head, John Tarpley Head, and Floyd Head; sisters Ruth Head, Mae Head Mauney, Edith Head Holcomb, Louise Head Purcell, Henrietta Head Gilmore, and Sue Head Swanson.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law Dr. Wesley and Laura Head of Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law Angie (Head) and Richard Purcell of Rock Spring, and Anita (Head) and Brian Neal of LaFayette; grandchildren Zoe and Michael Head, Emily and Carrie Jane Purcell, and John and Jacob Neal.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Cleveland United Methodist Church with Dr. Herchel Sheets officiating. A private burial will precede the service at the Cleveland Cemetery with Rev. Walton McNeal officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Barrett Funeral Home, and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cleveland United Methodist Church for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for World Hunger and Poverty (Advance # 982920).

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.