Dean Morris Hanby, 96, passed away on February 14, 2024. She was born July 18, 1927, in Henry County to the late William Quince Morris and Lelia Joyce Morris. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, David G. Hanby on April 5th, 2016. Dean was born in Henry County, graduated from Spencer Penn High School and attended Madison College, now James Madison University. She began her working career in the office of Dupont, then at the State Corporation Commission in Richmond. She returned to Martinsville, where she and D.G. met and married. They worked in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in Stuart together for many years.
Dean and D.G. were longtime residents of Stuart and were an integral part of life in Patrick County. They were active members of Stuart United Methodist Church where Dean was a member of United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, and served as financial secretary for some years. Dean was a member of the hospital auxiliary as a pink lady with the lights of love and the gift shop.
Other family members who preceded her in death were her siblings, three brothers, Clyde, Tom, and Glenn Morris. Also, three sisters, Mattie Reed Lester, Ruth Myers, and Patsy Hite.
Dean is survived by her daughter and son in law Barbara Reed Hanby (Bobbie) and Rod Acuff of Roanoke, Va. and step-granddaughter Lindsey and her family of Christiansburg, Va. She has also been blessed by remaining nieces and nephews including Myke Myers, Joyce May, Billie Abrams, Patty Hite, Jack Lester, Marty Czubek, Susan Painter, and Larry Hawks, who have remained a constant in her life.
After their move to Kings Grant in 1997, Dean and D.G. found a new life full of wonderful support and loving friends, who continued to care for her after D.G.’s death. They had become members of First United Methodist Church, where her membership and support remained.
The family would like to offer deepest gratitude for the love and care shown my parents, while at Kings Grant. I never worried about them and slept well at night while under your care. Also, I extend my sincere thanks to Mom’s faithful friend Jean Browe, who remained steadfast with Mom till the end.
Mom would be pleased to have memorial donations made to the Fellowship Fund at Kings Grant, The First United Methodist Church of Martinsville, or Cave Spring United Methodist Church of Roanoke.
On Monday February 19th the family will be present for a service of committal at the mausoleum at Patrick Memorial Gardens in Patrick Springs at 11am. This followed at 1pm at Kings Grant in Martinsville for words of remembrance of Dean by Kings Grant Chaplain and longtime friend Paul Johnson, followed by a small reception of refreshments for friends to gather. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
