Eddie Lee Dear Jr.'s Obituary
Eddie Lee Dear, Jr., 67, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away August 18, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Eddie was born in Bobo, Coahoma County, Mississippi, on August 1, 1956, the son of Mary Ceal Dear and Eddie Lee Dear Sr. He married Ruby Lee Dear on August 4, 1979, and their union was blessed with eight children. Eddie later moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he worked as a truck driver for the Budweiser beer company. He was employed there for sixteen years before relocating with his family to Decatur, Illinois.
Eddie was an extraordinary man. He was a loyal and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was unselfish and respected all who knew and loved him. His heart was as pure as gold, and he always did right by others. His genuine personality and peaceful spirit would light up any room he entered. He enjoyed singing the blues, telling funny stories, watching wrestling, cowboy movies, playing his guitar, dancing, laughing, and spending quality time with family and friends. His most famous words were “Sweet D in da house, Ya Hea!” He would say that with a contagious smile while waving two fingers back and forth. He was an all-around amazing person with an impeccable sense of humor. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy as an extraordinary man will carry on forever. “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. One of God’s greatest gifts to us returned home to be with his Lord.”
Eddie leaves to cherish his memory: wife Ruby; children Robert Willis, Mary Dear, Cynthia Dear, Monica Dear, Rosie Dear, Karen Dear, Sharon Dear, Ceresa Dear (all of Decatur), Eric Garner and Demarcus Garner (of Louisville, Kentucky); siblings Willie Ann White (of Clarksdale, Mississippi), Charlene Walker (of Decatur), Dorothy Phillips (of Decatur), Arthur Dear (of Clarksdale), and Leon Dear (of St. Louis, Missouri); 18 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mary Ceal Dear; sisters Helen Dear and Liva Ann; brothers Vernell and Charles Dear; aunts Ms. Willie Joe McDean and Ms. Willie D. Russel; grandparents and uncles Mr. Harvey McDonald, Mr. Curtis McDonald, and Mr. Henry McDonald.
Visitation for Eddie will be from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Homegoing Service will be at 11am on Friday, September 1, also at the funeral home. Burial in Graceland Cemetery will follow the service. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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