Malachi Dean was a proud man, but most of all he was proud to be a man of God. He was the third child born to William "Willie" and Ossie Davis Dean on December 6, 1944, in Carters, Georgia. On September 2, 2021, Jesus Christ called him home. Malachi accepted Jesus Christ at Foster Chapel Baptist Church on October 14, 2010, under Pastor Joseph Tolbert, Sr. He loved the Lord, his family, and his church family. He enjoyed Sunday service, Sunday school, bible study, and church activities. For all those that knew Malachi, knew that he would always give you a laugh. Even through the difficult times with his health, his quit wit remained. Malachi was a graduate of Austin High School, Class of 1962. After he graduated from high school, he took a job as a bus boy with Regas Restaurant in Knoxville, TN. He took a leave of absence from Regas to enlist in the United States Navy in June 1967. In the navy, he developed his skills in Mess Management. After being honorably discharged from active duty, he served his country as an U.S. Naval Reserve. After serving faithfully and honorably for over 20 years, he retired from the United States Navy on August 1, 1990, with a rank of Mess Management Specialist First Class. Malachi returned to Regas Restaurant after being discharged from active duty. He was able to hone his culinary skills due to the training he received in the Navy and from his mentor, Ernest Sanders. Malachi was a hard worker and that hard work led to him becoming the head chef. He was a faithful employee at Regas Restaurant for 45 years. In the latter part of his career, he worked 11 years at the Italian Market, Knoxville, TN as head chef. Malachi was preceded in death by: his parents, William "Willie" & Ossie Davis Dean; sister, Pauline "Tillie" Johnson; brother, Paul Dean; father-in-law, James Maxwell Sr; mother-in-law, Carrie Woodfin; brother-in-law, James Maxwell Jr; and special friends, Melvin Winston and Donald Anderson. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his beautiful wife, Patricia Dean; daughters; LeJuana (Kenneth) Washington of Charlotte, NC, Gretchen (Orlando) Walls of Nashville, TN; son, William Brooks (Jama) Dean of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Kevan Washington, LeKendra Washington, Devin Dean , William Brooks Dean II, Camryn Dean, and Nathaniel Walls; greatgrandchildren; Jayden Haynes, Nehemiah Washington, Storri McCrae, and Alaiya Hills; sister, Helen (William) Miller; sisters-in-law, Mary Imes, Aileen Cook, Jamesena Bailey, Joyce(Lewis) Agnew, Brenda Maxwell, Jacqueline Woodfin, Jamesena (Arthur) Smith, and Jamesena Hardin; brothers-in-law, Roderick (Pamela) Woodfin and Michael Woodfin; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; very special friends, Alvincent Felder and Costa "Gus" Regas. He is now looking down from Heaven saying Roll Tide, Roll! Yes, he was an Alabama Fan. His humor lives on.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m with the Celebration of Life Service to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Foster Chapel Baptist Church with Pastor Joseph Tolbert officiating. The final resting place will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens immediately following the service where there will be full military honors and a white dove release to conclude the service.
Mr. Dean will lie in state Friday September 10, 2021 at the Unity Mortuary Chapel from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
