Marian Futch Deas, of Jennings, FL passed from this life into heaven on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the age of 91.  The Cook County native was born on April 23, 1932, to the late Charlie and Georgia Futch.  She grew up in Cook County on the family farm.  Two of her favorite memories were picking blueberries and violets with her parents and her grandmother Mammy down by the river, and family fish fries at her granddaddy Willie's.  Marian and her little sister Mona would pack their suitcases, walk outside, and take grand trips just walking around their family farm.  She loved big meeting, when her family met at the Primitive Baptist church for long days of fellowship and big meals together. She enjoyed vacations at Twin Lakes, spending time with her sisters Mona and Margaret, and beloved cousins.

Marian later attended Berry College in Rome, GA studying early childhood education.  In September of 1952, she met James Deas, who would become the love of her life.  March 12, 1953, they wed and moved to Jennings.  She taught school in both Jennings and Jasper before staying home full time to raise her girls, help manage the family farm, and cook countless meals for family and friends on her Maytag stove, which she cooked on for 70 years. She was famous for her egg custard pies and chocolate fudge.  Marian taught Sunday School for 38 years and led the youth at Burnham Christian Church, hosting gospel sings and get togethers in her home. Her and James' family life was focused on glorifying God, reading the Bible together at night, and faithfully attending church. The Lord gave her a vision to build a cabin to glorify Him.  The Deas Cabin was indeed built, and for 33 years friends have come from all over the country to meet, eat, fellowship, and worship God, just as Marian envisioned. Her 116 journals tell the stories of her life with James, the lives of her children, and the history on the church and community.

Marian greatly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed having tea parties with them, complete with fancy hats that had belonged to her grandmother and great grandmother, her china cups and saucers, Oreo cookies, and sweet tea. She often had picnics with them on the farm. She enjoyed taking them fishing at the pond on the farm, sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch watching them as they fished.

Everyone was welcome in Marian's kitchen.  Her grandchildren and great grandchildren knew to go straight to the kitchen and help themselves to Oreos and something to drink every time they came to see her.

The Deas' home was always open to others. Marian's ministry reached out to countless people, from saving the sight of a baby, getting help for a crippled child, serving countless meals to the sick and bereaved, ministering to people in jail or the hospital, or to anyone in need.  She had a servant's heart and love for anyone regardless of race, economic status, or age.

Marian's hobbies included quilting, working with plants, journaling, and most of all pouring her love out on countless others who loved her in return. She and James enjoyed traveling to the mountains with their dear friends, Frances and Estes Altman. They even made cross country trips together.

Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in law, Susan and Louie Goodin and Sylvia and Gary Cone, her sister, Mona Sheppard, her grandchildren: Heath Goodin (Kelly), Hal Goodin (Courtney), Holly Goodin, Dusty Cone (Lydia), Danielle Hall (Kyle), and Ethan Cone, and her 13 great grandchildren.  Marian treasured her adopted Lithuanian family, Dr. Renaldas Smidtas and his wife Lina and their children Ieva, Greta, Laura, and Lukas. She was blessed with great care givers whom she loved and who met her every nee: Sarah Mitchell, Ernestine Smith, Rikki Jackson, and Sue Wages.

Marian was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, James Franklin Deas, parents Charlie and Georgia Futch, sister Margaret Futch Merwin, and an infant brother, George Futch.

A visitation will be held at Harry T. Reid Funeral Home Monday, October 2, 2023 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Burnham Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Burnham Christian Church Building Fund or to Haven Hospice.