Waneta Kay Dean, lovingly known as Sket, age 77, of Orange, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas. Funeral will be held at 10:00 AM, on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Dorman Funeral Home; Bro. Ed Rawls officiating. Rite of Committal and Interment will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 31, 2025, at Ebenezer Cemetery, in Colmesneil, Texas. Visitation of family and friends will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Dorman Funeral Home.
Honoring Sket as Pallbearers are Anthony Patterson, Shawn Michael Patterson, Garret Allen, Landon LeLeaux, Shane LeLeaux, and Roy Walter; Taylor Walter, as Honorary Pallbearer.
Born Waneta Kay Ellis, on August 30, 1947, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, in El Dorado, Kansas; the only child of Orbie and Flora Lee (Shaw) Ellis. Waneta grew up, attended school and graduated, from El Dorado School district.
Sket developed a great fondness for sports, mainly softball. She played all through her teens and into her adult life. Sket used to say that she played until she “could no longer run around the bases.” She moved to California after graduation and there she fell in love with bowling and continued doing that in many leagues, in both California and Kansas.
Sket spent most of her years working in food service of one type or another. From working the lunch counter at JJ Newberry’s, in San Mateo, California, to running the bakeries for Dillions/Kroger food stores, and finally for Moncla’s Catering, in Beaumont, Texas, as well as running the cafeteria at Exxon-Mobil refinery.
Sket married Larry Dean, of Mauriceville, Texas, on September 18, 1986. They were married for 38 years.
She is survived by husband, Larry Dean, of Orange, Texas; son, Shawn Patterson and wife, Monica, of Moundridge, Kansas; daughters, Laren Allen and husband, Tod, of Woodville, Texas, and Eryn Leleaux and husband, Shane, of Bridge City, Texas; son, Roy Walter and wife, Jessica, of DeRidder, Louisiana; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; cousins, Peggy Harvey, of Orange, Texas, Serena Muntzert, of Leroy, Kansas, and Kenya Blum-Souter, of Orange, Texas; and numerous members of extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Howard and Ruby Shaw; parents, Orbie Ellis and Flora Lee Shaw; aunt and uncle, Howard Kenneth and Dorothy Shaw; cousins, Kenny Shaw, Louise Shaw, Kimmy Shaw; and great-granddaughter, Melody Patterson.
Sket’s passion for sports, extended beyond her own participation; she was an ardent supporter of her children and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors, always cheering them on from the stands, with unwavering enthusiasm. Her love for games wasn’t confined to fields and alleys, as she enjoyed friendly competitions of cards and board games, with family and friends; creating countless cherished memories.
Known for her warm and generous spirit, Sket made everyone feel welcome in her presence. Her home was often the center of gatherings, filled with laughter, delicious food, and the comforting aroma of her baking. Sket had a knack for bringing people together, fostering a sense of community wherever she went.
Throughout her life, Sket faced challenges with resilience and grace. She was a pillar of strength for her family, offering support and wisdom in times of need. Her legacy of love, kindness, and perseverance continues to inspire those who knew her.
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