Celebrating the life of Dale Dean

Valeria Dale Laye Dean, age 74, past away October 10th 2024 after never fully recovering from multiple strokes. Nana to seven grandchildren and mother to three, she was a truly incredible woman. Known by the nickname Prairie Dog to many of her friends, she was funny and kind to all who knew her. Dale graduated from Parker High School in 1968, and she went on to get a degree in early childhood education from Clemson University. She was always ready for an adventure and wasn’t afraid to be the first to do something. She lived a life full of love, laughter, and had an independent spirit. Her parents were the late Lieutenant Colonel Maurice C. Laye and Jeanette Harvell Laye. They raised Dale and her sister Janice in Greenville, SC in the 1950s and 60s. Dale’s only sibling, Janice, passed away in 2012, and Dale was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

In August of 2019, Dale suffered from a series of strokes, including two hemorrhagic strokes in her brain. This left her bedridden and unable to speak, write, walk, or do anything on her own. We tried to go through the rehabilitation process, and she was improving slowly according to doctors and therapists. The physical therapist assured the family that as long as she was making progress, she could stay in the program. Unfortunately, the insurance company had other plans, and she was released from the program in early 2020. Her fiance Bobby Long cared for her until he passed away from Covid in December of 2020. Her daughter Abigail took her in and cared for her for the next few years of her life, trying her best to manage her long-term condition.

As one could imagine, this was incredibly taxing and took everything the family had to maintain her care. Since her condition happened suddenly, many details of her basic wishes were unknown to the family. Her life insurance lapsed during this time as no one had access to her accounts but her to continue payments. What few resources that were available were used for her care. We are asking for friends, family, and loved ones to help us say goodbye and celebrate the life and light that was Dale.

Help Us Say Goodbye

We are reaching out to all those whose lives were touched by Dale. During this challenging time, we are faced with the unexpected burden of funeral expenses. To honor her memory and give her the farewell she deserves, I am reaching out for your support. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us cover the costs and ease the financial strain on our family.

The funds raised will go towards:

• Burial and graveside services

• Memorial

Dale loved each and every one of you so much, and we appreciate anything you can give to help us honor her memory and lessen the burden of this massive loss.

Your generosity will help us say goodbye to our beloved mother in a manner that truly reflects the beautiful, multi-talented person she was. It will allow us to have a funeral filled with light, love, and cherished memories – a fitting tribute to a woman who brought so much brightness into the world.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express.