MCLEANSVILLE - Ms. Ardean "Dean" Alston-Dunn, age 78, formerly of Littleton, North Carolina, peacefully departed her earthly body on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in the presence of her loving and only daughter Ashley, at Authora Care Collective Center in Burlington, North Carolina.

She was daughter of the late Walter Alston and Margaret Hawkins Alston was born on April 1, 1946 in Halifax County, North Carolina.

Dean lived a full and vibrant life, marked by dedication to her family, community, and career. Dean received her formal education in the Halifax County Public School System. She graduated with the class of 1964 from the former McIver High School in Littleton, NC where she was known for her spirited performances as a majorette. She went on to further her education at Southeastern Business College in Durham, NC earning an Associate Degree in 1966. Her professional life was marked by her commitment and service, culminating in her retirement from the North Carolina Department of Transportation in May 2004 as an Administrative Assistant. She accepted Christ into her life at an early age and was a member of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended regularly until her health began to decline in 2018 and relocated to live with her daughter.

Dean's presence was hallmarked by her infectious smile, her stylish form of dress, including her high heels, and her ability to light up any room she entered with the sound of her vivacious laugh. Dean was a devoted and loving mother to her daughter Ashley and an amazing grandmother to Caelynn, also known as her "Tweet Tweet." She enjoyed spending time with family, celebrating holidays, baking her lemon pound cakes, andshopping. She also enjoyed growing her flowers and watching her favorite TV shows "her stories" as she referred to them, while enjoying her favorite Coca-Cola beverage. Even as her health began to fail, she conveyed the truest definition of resilience until the very end. With each hospital visit and medical intervention, she would bounce back as if she was better than the previous visit, always surprising her healthcare team because she was like no other patient they had seen or treated before.

In addition to her parents, Dean was preceded in death by her three brothers, JB Alston, TC Alston and Freeman Harvey; her sister, Helen Burgess; three sisters-in-law, Helen Alston, Sandra Alston, and Anita Harvey; and two brothers-in-law, David Faulcon, Jr and Theodore "Tee" Daniels.

Her amiable, confident and feisty spirit will be forever remembered and cherished by her family. She is survived by her loving daughter, Ashley Dunn and her adored granddaughter, Caelynn Tynes, of McLeansville NC; four sisters, Pearlie Daniels of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Martha Pearl Faulcon of Littleton, NC, Madie Fogg of Littleton, NC, and Joyce Alston of Cary NC; three brothers, LP Alston of Littleton, NC, Andy Harvey (Marsha) of Fayetteville, NC, and Richard Brown of Littleton NC; one sister-in-law, Millie Johnson (James) of Randallstown, MD; one brother-in-law, Milton Burgess of Littleton, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and devoted friends.

Dean's life was a testament to her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family. Her Christian faith and tenacious spirit allowed the world to enjoy her loving soul for a little over 78 years. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

For those who have inquired about how to continue Dean's legacy of education and support for Caelynn Tynes, contributions can be mailed or sent electronically. Make Checks Payable to: Ashley Dunn, 2288 Owls Nest Trail, McLeansville, NC 27301: Cashapp: $AshleyDunn073-Venmo: @Ashley-Dunn073 - PayPal: @aadunn073@gmail.com

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024. at 11:00am in the Robinson Funeral Home Chapel, Littleton, NC. Bishop Lloyd T. Alston will deliver the eulogy.

Local service by McLaurin-Harris.