DeDe Kathleen Grow

Meda Kathleen (Farmer) Grow, lovingly known to all as Dede, passed away peacefully on September 30th, 2024 in North Richland Hills, Texas, surrounded by her family.  Born on February 13th, 1936 in Clearwater, Florida, she lived a life marked by love and care for others. Dede was the daughter of Edward Berry Farmer and Meda Claire Peters. 

Growing up in Largo, Florida, Dede’s early years were full of simple, joyful moments: trips with her sister, Norma, to visit their grandmother in Brooksville, adventures on the Withlacoochee River and fishing excursions with her father. These experiences in nature fostered a lifelong love for the outdoors, a passion she passed down to her own children and grandchildren. 

In 1956, Dede married her high school sweetheart, Robert Lee Grow, a handsome naval officer. Together they embarked on a worldwide adventure. Life took them across the U.S., to Hawaii, before it was a state and to the Philippines. During this time, they raised three wonderful children: Janet, Jennifer, and David. Dede was not only a devoted mother but also a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother. 

Dede received a Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of North Florida and a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling from Troy State University. She valued learning, helping others and loved being able to invest in the lives of young children in her role as a school guidance counselor. 

Dede’s summers were filled with joy at the family’s mountain home in Highlands, North Carolina. This was a cherished place where her children and grandchildren enjoyed swimming, fishing, playing games and spending time together. She enjoyed square dancing, floating down the river, berry picking and making fresh peach ice cream with the family; these will now forever be a part of her family’s traditions. 

As the matriarch of the Grow family, Dede exemplified a well-lived life. She navigated the challenges of raising a family during military deployments with grace and resourcefulness. In her retirement years, she missed nothing. Her life was marked by one word – presence. She was always there, always present. Birthdays, holidays, soccer games, and graduations; she was always there to support those she loved no matter what. She brought everyone together, a unique gift that lives on in who her family is today. 

Dede is survived by her loving husband of over 68 years, Robert Lee Grow, their children Janet (Ted) Hull-Ryde, Jennifer (David) Murphy and David (Janny) Grow, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, hospitality and the importance of family and friendship, which will be cherished by all who knew her. 

She will be deeply missed, but lives on in the countless memories and hearts of those she touched. A service will be held to honor her life and memory at Lucas Funeral Home at 10a.m. on October 23rd, 2024, located at 1601 S Main St., Keller TX 76248. There will be a reception following the service at Watermere at the Preserve located at 8625 Davis Blvd., North Richland Hills, TX 76182.