Bay Edward Dedner

Bay Edward Dedner, Jr.

May 19, 1933 – January 13, 2023

Deacon Bay Edward Dedner, Jr., 89, of Prescott, Arkansas, formerly of Stamps, Arkansas was born, May 19, 1933 to the late Mr. Bay Dedner and Mrs. Mamie Nelson-Austin in Ben Lomand, Arkansas.  He was an active member of Greenville Missionary Baptist Church in Stamps, Arkansas until his health started to fail.  He attended the Literacy School in Stamps Arkansas.  On June 10, 2002, he was given an award of recognition as Student of the Year by the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties. 

In 2009, Pastor Neich Robinson and the Greenville Missionary Baptist presented Deacon Dedner and award for his hard work and tirelessly serving as a Deacon, Lay Person and Chief Usher of Greenville Missionary Baptist Church. 

On July 7, 1988, he married Marie Reynolds-Dedner who was his wife, confidant and caretaker until his death, no children were born to this union but they lived happily as husband and wife for thirty-five years.  He retired from Tex-Ark Joist (Steel Mill) and upon his retirement he continued to work in the community for many years, normally taking care of and mowing people’s yards and almost never charging them.  He was an active and the oldest living member of Rose of Sharon Lodge Number 100, Prince Hall Affiliated under the Jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas where he continued to serve until he could no longer attend the meetings but remained concerned about the business of the Order. 

Deacon Dedner was preceded in death by both his parents, Mr. Bay Dedner, Mrs. Mamie Nelson-Austin.  His grandparents, Mr. M.T. Dedner and Mrs. Alice Greenlee-Dedner.  Two brothers, Glen Dedner and Freddie Austin.  Two sisters, Betty Jane Dedner and Willa Burris.

He leaves to cherish and share his many memories, his wife of thirty-five years, Mrs. Marie Reynolds-Dedner.  His sons, Jean Dedner, Billy Vern (Mary Ann) Dedner, Stanley Ray Dedner all of Stamps, Arkansas, Raymond Sims of Garrison, Texas, Joseph C. (Ebony) Washington of Buckner, Arkansas and Kelvin Rusk.  His daughters, Marrial Dedner of Houston, Texas, Diana Adams of Stamps, Arkansas, Brenda Kay (Terry) Franklin of Lewisville, Arkansas, Mellin (Dearick) Ogelsby of Hephzibah, Georgia and Alicia L. (Jonathan) Page of Prescott, Arkansas.  Thirty-one grandchildren, sixty-six great grandchildren, and thirteen great-great grandchildren.  His brothers, Gill Dedner fo Little Rock, Arkansas, Hubert Dedner of McKinney, Texas, Billy (Verdie) Austin, James Austin and Marshall Austin all of Chicago, Illinois.  Joe Austin of Texarkana, Texas and Sammie Austin of Jacksonville, Florida.  Sisters, Mary (Rod) Rodman of Richard, Michigan, Jerlene Dedner of McKinney, Texas, Helen Trent Elliot of Norfolk, Virginia, Annie (Bill) Fuller of LasVegas, Nevada and Nellie Grant of Torrance, California.  Special friends, Gill reed of Sherwood, Arkansas and Ann Reed of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a special granddaughter, Elwonna Calton of Stamps, Arkansas and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Deacon Dedner’s Homegoing Celebration of Life will be held at Hamilton-Davis Funeral Home Chapel, 415 East First Street, Stamps, Arkansas, 71860, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. with Masonic Rites after the eulogy under the direction of the Hamilton-Davis Staff where Rev. Cedric Sharp will serve as the Officiant and Rev. Dr. Neich Robinson, Jr. will serve as Eulogist.  A public viewing will be on Friday, January 20, 2023 from the hours of 11:00 P.M. until 3:30 P.M.  Interment will be immediately following the service at Lakeside Cemetery, Stamps, Arkansas.

This Service will be livestreamed on the Hamilton-Davis Facebook Page as well as the Hamilton-Davis website at: https://www.hamiltondavisfuneralhome.com

Because of the rise in the number of COVID cases and CDC guidelines, all who intend to attend will be required to wear a mask and adhere to current social distancing guidelines as much as possible.

MASK ARE REQUIRED DURING THE FUNERAL SERVICE AND THE VISITATION.  YOUR CONSIDERATION AND COOPERATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

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