Norma Lee Dean

Norma Slaydon Dean, born Norma Lee Slaydon on December 7, 1952, in Radford, Virginia, passed away on January 13, 2026, in Conway, Arkansas.

Norma spent most of her life in DeLand and Orange City, Florida, where she was known for her strong beliefs about what was right and an equally strong belief in her ability to make a difference. She was a lifelong learner and did her best to improve the organizations in which she participated. She was a proud 1970 graduate of DeLand High School, and though she claimed not to be popular in high school, she took a great deal of pleasure in making new high school friends and helping to organize their reunions.

On December 15, 1972, Norma married David Dean in Daytona Beach, Florida, beginning a partnership that lasted more than fifty years and weathered life's changes with shared resolve, affection, and devotion. In 1974, they were sealed in the Washington, DC LDS Temple, reflecting the faith that anchored their marriage and their family. Mom described Dad, "Georgie," as her best friend, confidant, and sweetheart and one of "the most honorable men I've ever known." She looked forward to spending time and all eternity with him.

Over the years, Norma worked as a church custodian, title abstractor, education reporter for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, and finally as office manager for the English Department at Stetson University. Each role benefited from her attention to detail, her respect for accuracy, and her calm authority. She was excellent at her work – and expected others to be as well.

Still, the work that mattered most to her happened outside a job description. She treasured being a mother and grandmother most and truly was a Southern family matriarch. Norma was deeply engaged in her church, where she was especially beloved as a Sunday School teacher-the kind people remembered because she was prepared, thoughtful, and genuinely cared whether the lesson made sense. She had a gift for teaching without lecturing and for encouraging participation without putting anyone on the spot.

She was equally devoted to public education and parent leadership, beginning her involvement in parent-teacher associations when her oldest child entered kindergarten. That commitment grew steadily over the years until she became Chair of the District Advisory Committee for one of the largest school districts in the state of Florida. Norma believed strongly that children deserved advocates who showed up informed, persistent, and ready to do the work – and she was all three. Norma cared deeply about the well-being of children and spent much of her life advocating for their safety, education, and protection. That concern guided her choices, shaped her leadership, and remains one of the clearest expressions of who she was.

Exactly fifty years after their wedding day, on December 15, 2022, Norma and David moved to Clinton, Arkansas, marking a new chapter together-and proving that Norma appreciated a meaningful date as much as a practical decision. In her last few years, she struggled with multiple health issues, all of which were managed by her husband, David. Despite these issues, she still managed to become a service missionary for her church, conducting genealogy work from her computer that she found incredibly important and meaningful.

She is survived by her husband, David; her sons, Chipper and Kyser (Carrie); her grandchildren, Adam (Reba), Kaylee (Lucas) Watson, Olivia, and Levi; her great-grandchild, Jakob Watson; her brothers, Mike (Shannon) Slaydon and Jerry (Angela) Slaydon; and numerous other family and friends.

This obituary was written by Norma's sons, Chipper and Kyser, who accept full responsibility for any omissions or oversights. Folks may direct their complaints, however, to Norma herself, when they see her again. Mom's life was defined by service, integrity, humor, and love. We will miss her deeply and remember her as a funny, opinionated, and loving Southern lady.

A family-hosted memorial service will be held at the Mountain View Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive on time but should remember that Mom almost never was.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Prevent Child Abuse America (https://preventchildabuse.org/), a cause that reflected Norma's lifelong commitment to protecting children.