Dean Willeford

Desima Dean Muir Willeford, 93, died October 28, 2015. Mrs. Willeford was born July 9, 1922 in Leeds, Alabama. After graduating from Rush's Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Meridian, Mississippi in 1945 as a Registered Nurse she moved to Memphis, Tennessee. She worked at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Shelby County Health Dept., and as a Private Duty Nurse. She nursed many polio patients and remembered the time when penicillin was recommended for a patient and they had to send a courier to the airport to pick it up. She saw many changes in the nursing field during her life. While in Memphis, her best friend, also a nurse, set her up on a date with her husband’s best friend. They were married in 1954 in Memphis and were transferred to Atlanta later that year because of her husband’s job with Delta Air Lines. They lived in East Point, Ga. for 30 years where she was a very active member of East Point Presbyterian Church. She volunteered in the church library and was a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Circles. She also volunteered with the Golden Age Club in East Point, driving ladies to and from their meetings. She was very active in Girl Scouts in several different roles including being a Girl Scout Troop Leader and eventually became the Chairman of the NW Georgia Girl Scout Council. She volunteered at the East Point Girl’s Club and with an Adult Literacy Program. She had a very big heart for helping others. After retirement, they moved to Sharpsburg, Ga. where they lived for 16 years and were members of Newnan Presbyterian Church. Also, during retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spent 19 winters in Good Life Resort in Mesa, Arizona. She was very active in that retirement community where she became the teacher / leader of two crafting groups. A graveside service will be held Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, MS. Visitation will be Friday, October 30, 2015 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at McKoon Funeral Home 38 Jackson St, Newnan, GA 30263. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Willeford of Newnan, Ga.; a brother, Dr. M. Eric (Nan) Muir of Boyle, MS; a sister-in-law, Marge Muir of Winona, Ms.; nephews, Andy (Anita) Muir of Carrollton, MS; Mark Muir or Winona, MS; Dr. W. Eric (Betty) Muir of Jackson, TN, and Dr. Ed Muir of Memphis, TN; a niece, Carol Bailey of Winona, MS; and several cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Ernest R. “Willie” Willeford, her parents, Chris and Pearl (Hopper) Muir; her brother, Chris C. Muir; her niece, Sally Muir; and two infant granddaughters. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Dean Willeford

July 9, 1922 - October 28, 2015