Dean Carol Jennings was born in Brandon, Mississippi in 1951. She was the third of five children born to Sherman and Ruby Lee Holmes, Jr. Dean would often speak fondly of growing up in Brandon, Mississippi and would relish opportunities to take family and friends on tours of local landmarks and places that were so important to the fabric of her childhood.

After High School, Dean went on to attend Alcorn University before transferring to Jackson State University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree, she joined the National Guard and later enlisted in the United States Army Reserves.

Dean relocated to Los Angeles, California in the 1970's, where she worked for the United States Postal Service for a number of years. During this time, she operated a catering business alongside her good friend Shirley Webb. Shortly thereafter, Dean accepted a job working at Blue Cross of California (now Wellpoint) where she retired after 20 years. Dean also retired from the Army Reserves after 30+ years of service. Dean truly believed in dedication, commitment and hard work.

Los Angeles is where she found a very important pillar in her life, her church home of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (GEMBC). As a member of GEMBC, she was active for many years as part of various auxiliaries including: Women's Chorus, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union and Phoebe's Circle. Additionally, she worked with the Saturday Morning Youth ministry. It was also at GEMBC where she would meet her future husband Deacon William Frank Jennings and after this union became a faithfully serving member of the Deaconess ministry.

Dean never met a stranger. She would always find something to talk to someone about. Dean would often joke that she could track down and find anything and anyone, who knew Dean well knew this to be true. Family, co-workers, friends and church family would be on the hunt for some niche or obscure antique or particular piece of clothing, and once Dean got wind of what the person was looking for, she would make several calls and trips to various stores to locate and secure the item. She found joy in these "treasure hunts" and would ask for nothing in return from the person that was seeking it. Very often, she would give 'just because' gifts to people in her life when something caught her eye and reminded her of them. Dean was truly a selfless giver who loved God, her family and others.

Dean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Frank Jennings; two brothers, John Harold and Connie (Hannah).

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: BPorshe (Charles), Justin, Robert (Pamela), William Jr. and Glynis (Otis); grandchildren: Tiara, Zemirah, Natassia (Courtney), Charles, Jr. (India), Jennelle and Maya.; great-grandchildren: Peyton, Casey, Cameron, Carter, Sophia, Lana and Molly; siblings, Karon and Donnie Joe; nieces and nephews: John, Jr., Timothy, Tomeka, Toriano 'Rollow', Andre, Ingrid, Johnathan (Adrienne) and Yolanda; and a host of family, friends, neighbors and church members to cherish her memories.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service 12 PM, Friday, August 11, 2023 at Union Chapel Baptist Church, 300 NW 25 th Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105. The family will greet friends at 11:30 AM. Interment in Parklawn Memorial Park.