Elizabeth Deaner was born to Julia Allen and Willie Reed on November 12, 1913 in Boonsville, Mississippi. Her parents and two older sisters preceded her in death, Octavia Ellis and Mary Townsend. Elizabeth confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. She attended school in Tupelo, Mississippi and College Hill. She met and married Finis Freeman, Sr. Two children were born to this union, Finis Jr. and Wilma. Both children preceded her in death. She later moved to St. Louis, MO in 1936. She met and married Henry Deaner. In later years they separated. She graduated from Emily Joel Beauty School in 1945 and later opened her own beauty shop in the 1950's, called Fashion Lady Beauty Salon. Being a hair stylist was her passion. After many years, she had to close her beauty shop due to a car accident she was injured in. Later she ran a daycare from her home where she provided child care and nurtured countless children for many generations. Everyone in the neighborhood knew "Mother Dear". She loved caring for her babies. She loved her family and adopted family members. She would do anything to help family. She would help you before you asked. She would say, "I don't wait until Xmas or a birthday, I'm going to help you when you need it". She was always confident and true to her faith. She was a Sunday School teacher at West Side Missionary Baptist Church for many years. She loved talking about faith in God and teaching others about love and faith in the Lord. She later joined St. Louis Metropolitan Church of Christ. Elizabeth departed this life on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 5:15am. In her memory, she leaves to cherish one grandchild, Sheila Morris; two great-grandchildren, Antione (Tanya) Morris and LaKeesha Morris; 8 great-great grandchildren; 2 great-great-great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

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