Lauren Ray Dean was born to Floyd and Mildred Dean on February 27, 1935 at Allen Memorial Home in Mobile, Alabama. He passed away at home in Movella, Mississippi on June 4, 2025. He spent his childhood growing up in Toulmanville, Alabama, and attended as a young man Springhill Baptist Church.

As a young man of 13 -15, he spent summers working at Dean and Wilburn Nursery, which was run by his uncles Mally Wilburn and J.D. Dean. When he turned 16 Ray said, "I got smart" and worked indoors in a grocery store in Mobile that summer, but the nursery business would be in his future.

After graduating from Murphy High School, Ray joined the military and served as an ASA traffic analyst from 1955 to 1958. He earned the rank of sergeant. He spent 14 months in Taiwan and nine months at the national security agency outside Fort Meade, Maryland.

After 2 1/2 years of college at Auburn and then the University of Southern Mississippi, he took on the trade of photolithography. Ray lived and worked in New Orleans, Louisiana for over 20 years for Harvey Press. While in New Orleans, he developed a love for painting and sketching.

After working many years in New Orleans, Ray moved home to be with his parents as they grew older. Ray successfully owned and operated Sun Ray Nursery propagating a variety of plants, but specialized in azaleas for over 25 years.

After retiring from the nursery business, he continued his talents in horticulture by growing award-winning gourds and painting.

If you talk to anyone who knew Ray, they'll tell you that he was "a character". He always had a funny story or joke planned to share during a visit. You always left with a smile because of his good humor and easy-going nature. Ray was easy to talk to. He loved to share his humor, his knowledge of horticulture and his love of art with others.

But of most importance, Ray was a Christian. He understood that the Lord was in control of his life. That is what gave him a peace that passed understanding. Ray was loved by his family and friends and will be missed. He lived a long, joyful life and will be remembered as "a beautiful soul."

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Pamela Dean of Kentucky. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Dean and Mildred Courson Dean and his brother, Alan Dean.

The funeral will be held 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Agricola Baptist Church, 7268 Barton Agricola Road, Lucedale, MS with Rev. Joey Reus officiating.  Burial will be in Agricola Cemetery, Lucedale, MS.

Calling hours will be Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 1:30 - 2:00pm at Agricola Baptist Church, 7268 Barton Agricola Road, Lucedale, MS.

Sigler Funeral Home,  601-947-3112, www.siglerfuneral.com, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS, is in charge of arrangements.