Gaythel Dearman

Funeral services for Gaythel Dearman will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church with Reverend Jimmie Garrard officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Dearman, 82, of Meridian, passed away January 11 at Anderson Hospital.

Gaythel was a God loving Christian woman who always put her family first.  She was very active at Bethany Baptist Church, where she was a GA leader, taught Sunday school and Bible school, and served on various committees, both at church and in her community.  Gaythel was also the “best cook in Whynot”, and her caramel cake was second to none.  She taught school at Southeast Lauderdale School for thirty-six years and was a 4H Leader. She loved nature and being outdoors, either gardening or watching hummingbirds swarm her feeders.  She loved playing games, in particular, Dominos and cards.  Gaythel will be remembered as a warm, funny, loving, selfless wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, whose husband lovingly called her Wonder Woman.

Survivors include her son, Rocky (Yolanda) Dearman, daughters, Robin (Kenneth) Butler and Rosalyn (Andrew) MacDonald; grandchildren, Candace (Jason) Dutton, John (Jennifer) Dearman, Holly (Russ) Guidry, Lindsay (Jason) Harris, Ryan (Amanda) Butler, Austin MacDonald, and Ethan MacDonald, as well as seven great-grandchildren; her brother, Arthur Goodman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Dallas Dearman, Jr.; her parents, Edward and Pearl Goodman; and her brothers, James, John, and Oscar Goodman.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Butler, John Dearman, Austin MacDonald, Ethan MacDonald, Kenny Neal, and Darron Martin.   Andy Booker will serve as honorary pallbearer.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. prior to service at the church.