Mildred Dear

Dear, Mildred "Joan" Passed away on the evening of Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011 at Methodist Hospital Southlake Campus in Merrillville, Indiana at the age of 79. She is preceded in death by her son, Ezekiel Dear, Jr., stepfather, Willie Webb, brother, Earl Dudley, grandson, Michael A. Nichols, Jr., one aunt, one uncle, In-laws, five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. Affectionately called "Joan," Mildred Joan Dudley was born January 19, 1932 in Gary, Indiana. At an early age Joan accepted Jesus Christ at the Galilee Baptist Church. There she found her love for singing and taught herself how to play the piano. At the age of 13, Joan moved her membership and began working at the Jerusalem Baptist Church under the late E. B. Joyner doing Sunday bulletins. She attended Gary Froebel School from grades K-12 and graduated in 1950. On December 4, 1954, Ezekiel and Joan were married and five children were born. Joan graduated at the top of her class at Odessa's School of Beauty as a Cosmetologist. Joan's Beauty Shop was created with a career as a beautician lasting over 45 years. She is survived by the love of her life, Ezekiel Dear; mother, Juliet Webb, daughters, Stephanye Lynn Dear, Adrienne Louise Dear-Kelly, Rochelle Lanette Dear, and Glynnis Rene Dear. Two grandsons; Ezekiel D. Kelly of Jacksonville, Florida and Leonard A. Evans (Rose Simmons) of Gary, Indiana. Two great-grandchildren, Jacari D. Kelly and Makayla Lynn Evans. One Aunt Bernice Graham, two sister-in-laws; Gertrude Dear and Evelyn Dear, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Service will be held at Beyond the 4 Walls Christian Center, 875 S. Lake St. Saturday, December 3, 2011. Visitation at 9:00 a.m., Funeral at 11:00 a.m., Dr. W. Maurice White, Jr., Officiate and Pastor. Interment Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.