Missionary JoeAnn Dean is the seventh child of eight born to James and Susie Garnett of Lexington, Mississippi. She attended high school at Lexington Attendance Center, currently Holmes County Central High School. She attended Mississippi Valley State University, Saints College in Lexington, Mississippi and Tougaloo College.

In 1972, Missionary Dean was wedded to Elder Clemon Redmond, Jr., and they were married for 47 years. Their union produced two lovely children – Clemon Redmond, III and Miracle Lafaye (Jamaris Deon) Redmond-Moore, and a beautiful grandchild – Jamaris Deon Moore, Jr. On April 6, 2020, the Lord called home Elder Clemon Redmond, Jr. Missionary Dean found love again in Bishop William Dean, Jr., and they were joined together in holy matrimony on December 5, 2020.

As a 26-year employee of the Holmes County School District, Missionary Dean served in various capacities – media clerk, guidance secretary, GED secretary, Adult Basic Education bookkeeper, Title XX bookkeeper, Title IV secretary, secretary of the Special Education Program, and Central Office receptionist. In 2000, she retired from her vocation in the Holmes County School District.

Missionary Dean has served as a licensed missionary for more than 34 years. She attended the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. She has served as the First Lady of St. Anderson Church of God in Christ in Durant, MS, House of Prayer Church of God in Christ in Kosciusko, MS, and St. Maryland Church of God in Christ in Goodman, Mississippi.

Missionary Dean allows the Lord to use her daily in His service as she ministers to the needs of the elderly, the sick, and the dependent. She uses her gifts as a missionary to bring cheer to those who are afflicted, to give hope to those who are discouraged, and to brighten the lives of those who simply need to know that someone cares.