Knightdale, North Carolina Dolores Odom Dean, 88, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023. She was born December 3, 1934 in Murfreesboro, NC to the late Edward Odom and Doris Brett Odom. Dolores and her late husband, Norman L. Dean met while he was a student at Chowan College. After they married they spent most of their married life in Wendell. Dolores and Norman were the parents of two beautiful and talented daughters: Donna Dean Parrish and Susan Dean Hilliard. She was the co-founder of The Flower Shop in Wendell with Jackie Ammons and continued that affiliation for over 20 years. She served with her husband, Norman with the Wendell Volunteer Rescue Squad and was training officer for several years. She and Norman were team realtors in Wake County for a number of years in their last career together. Dolores loved people and always sought ways to help, but not with fanfare. When she heard of a need, she did what she could to alleviate that need whether by arranging special meals to be delivered, organizing a collection for a grandmother raising her grandchildren, providing meals for kids in need, or just being there for people going through hard times, always lending an ear for those who just needed to talk. She also loved music, particularly Bluegrass. She enjoyed "jamming" with others while playing her autoharp. In her last years, she entertained her friends in her retirement community by telling "stories" of her life. One friend said, "If you brought up any subject, she would probably have an entertaining story about it to make us all laugh." A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 18, 2023, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC. The family will receive relatives and friends following the service at the funeral home. A private inurnment will be held at Greenmount Cemetery, Wendell. She is survived by her daughters: Donna D. Parrish and husband, Mike of Chandler, AZ, Susan D. Hilliard and husband, V.J. of Wendell, NC; grandchildren: Jonathan Parrish, Ashley P. Garcia (Manuel), Wesley Hilliard, Alex Hilliard and Sarah Roderick; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband, Dolores was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Odom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral. com under Tributes. Dolores Odom Dean December 3, 1934 February 22, 2023. Durham, North Carolina The Herald-Sun 15 Mar, 2023 Page B12 Obituary for Dolores Odom Dean ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary: Dolores Odom Dean, 88, of Knightdale, North Carolina, passed away on 22 February 2023. She was born on 3 December 1934 in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Dolores co-founded The Flower Shop in Wendell and served with her husband Norman on the Wendell Volunteer Rescue Squad. She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services: A memorial service for Dolores Odom Dean was held at 2:00 pm on 18 March 2023 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel in Knightdale, North Carolina. A private inurnment took place at Greenmount Cemetery in Wendell. ### The Edited Obituary Knightdale, North Carolina Dolores Odom Dean, 88, passed away Wednesday, 22 February 2023. She was born 3 December 1934 in Murfreesboro, NC to the late Edward Odom and Doris Brett Odom. Dolores and her late husband, Norman L. Dean, met while he was a student at Chowan College. After they married, they spent most of their married life in Wendell. Dolores and Norman were the parents of two beautiful and talented daughters: Donna Dean Parrish and Susan Dean Hilliard. She was the co-founder of The Flower Shop in Wendell with Jackie Ammons and continued that affiliation for over 20 years. She served with her husband, Norman, with the Wendell Volunteer Rescue Squad and was training officer for several years. She and Norman were team realtors in Wake County for a number of years in their last career together. Dolores loved people and always sought ways to help, but not with fanfare. When she heard of a need, she did what she could to alleviate that need whether by arranging special meals to be delivered, organizing a collection for a grandmother raising her grandchildren, providing meals for kids in need, or just being there for people going through hard times, always lending an ear for those who just needed to talk. She also loved music, particularly Bluegrass. She enjoyed "jamming" with others while playing her autoharp. In her last years, she entertained her friends in her retirement community by telling "stories" of her life. One friend said, "If you brought up any subject, she would probably have an entertaining story about it to make us all laugh." A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, 18 March 2023, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC. The family will receive relatives and friends following the service at the funeral home. A private inurnment will be held at Greenmount Cemetery, Wendell. She is survived by her daughters: Donna D. Parrish and husband, Mike of Chandler, AZ, Susan D. Hilliard and husband, V.J. of Wendell, NC; grandchildren: Jonathan Parrish, Ashley P. Garcia (Manuel), Wesley Hilliard, Alex Hilliard and Sarah Roderick; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband, Dolores was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Odom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral.com under Tributes. Dolores Odom Dean 3 December 1934 - 22 February 2023. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Dolores Odom Dean | |---------|-------------------------------------| | Age | 88 years | | Birth | 3 December 1934; Murfreesboro, NC | | Death | 22 February 2023; Knightdale, NC | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence. | |-------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------| | Dolores Odom Dean | Decedent | Knightdale, NC | | Norman L. Dean | Spouse | Wendell, NC | | Edward Odom | Parent | Murfreesboro, NC | | Doris Brett Odom | Parent | Murfreesboro, NC | | Donna Dean Parrish | Child | Chandler, AZ | | Susan Dean Hilliard | Child | Wendell, NC | | Jonathan Parrish | Grandchild | Chandler, AZ | | Ashley P. Garcia | Grandchild | Chandler, AZ | | Wesley Hilliard | Grandchild | Wendell, NC | | Alex Hilliard | Grandchild | Wendell, NC | | Sarah Roderick | Grandchild | Wendell, NC | | Gene Odom | Sibling | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Dolores Odom Dean was a co-founder of The Flower Shop in Wendell. 2. She served with her husband Norman on the Wendell Volunteer Rescue Squad. 3. Dolores and Norman were team realtors in Wake County for several years. 4. She loved people and always sought ways to help others discreetly. 5. Dolores enjoyed music, particularly Bluegrass, and played the autoharp. 6. In her retirement community, Dolores entertained her friends by telling stories of her life.