Maudean "Dean" (Yates) Peacock

Maudean “Dean” Yates Peacock passed away peacefully Friday, May 19, 2023, at Mobile Infirmary at 6:18pm surrounded by family singing her favorite hymnals as her spirit ascended to its final resting place. She was born the daughter of the late Jefferson Truly and Maggie Prysock Yates on October 1, 1939 in Mobile, AL. She was the feisty, loyal baby sister to her siblings, Peggy Gibson, Phillip Yates, and Darlene Foster who had gone on before her; and Wayne (Rita) Yates and Roger (Sabra) Yates of Lucedale, MS, who she leaves behind to mourn her passing.

She was united in holy matrimony to her loving, Christian husband Charles Robert “Buddy” Peacock on March 4, 1958, who she has been longing to reunite with since his passing in 2010. Together, they created a life in Bay Minette, AL, with their children Judy (Neal) Bridges, Sandra (Ken) Milstead, David (Geri) Peacock, and Iris (Jim) Kelly. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by them and her grandchildren Elizabeth (John Carlos) Byrd, Carter O’Neal Bridges II, Caitlin (Bradley) Cook, David Jeremiah “DJ” Peacock, John (Elissa) Peacock, Kaylee Thompson, Amiee Milstead, Kyndall (Clayton) Crane, and Krystle Cheney. Her legacy also extends to great grandchildren who were fortunate to know and be loved by her: Noah Lins, Bristol Cook, Ella Brooke Byrd, Haylin Milstead, Ethan Milstead, Aubrey Milstead, Caston Crane, Cale Crane, David Cheney, Charlie Cheney, and Leilani Cheney. Furthermore, she was endearingly called Aunt Maudean by a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dean dedicated her life to her family and always opened her arms and her home to them and their friends, who also called her “Nana” because she treated them as her own. Longtime family friends who were welcomed to the point they considered themselves family include Peggie (Tommy) Montgomery and Lisa Donley. The honorary family members over the years were many, came at various phases of life, and were always welcomed.

Dean was passionate about hosting family get-togethers and celebration gatherings. She loved cooking for her family and her church. Her knack for hospitality, Southern cooking, and canning made her legendary in many peoples’ eyes, especially to her family.

While raising her young children, Dean not only took care of her household, but she also went to school to become an educator. She began teaching in 1970 and did so for over 25 years. Known as Mrs. Peacock to her students, she was an adored teacher who taught math, English, and literature. After retirement from the Baldwin County Public School system, she continued to teach by molding young minds and planting the seed for loving the Gospel at Happy Times Preschool.

Dean was a remarkable Christian woman who served faithfully. She spent her time and gave of her talents to share her testimony by volunteering at Vacation Bible Schools, cooking meals for someone in a time of comfort or simply because she wanted to bless them, organizing ladies’ events, and volunteering for various community service initiatives such as The Ronald McDonald House and women’s shelters. She cherished Sunday school, bible study, worship, and singing hymns with her smooth alto voice. Her friendships with the ladies of her church congregations over her lifetime were extremely special to her. Dean worshiped with her family at New Life Baptist Church when her children were young, transferred her membership to The Church of Christ, where she was active over the years at Pine Street Church of Christ and Spanish Fort Church of Christ; then, in recent years, she returned to New Life Baptist Church.

Outside of her career and church, Dean treasured the outdoors, adventure and traveling. She and her husband built their own slice of paradise along the shore of Mobile Bay with a house that was known affectionately to their family as The Bay House. They made many memories at The Bay House over the years with their children and grandchildren, which included spending hours on the pier, out in the boat, on the wave runner, at the canal, or in the water, filling the time with fishing, shrimping, crabbing, skiing, tubing, swimming, and taking in gorgeous sunsets while rocking in the hammock. When she wasn’t escaping to enjoy The Bay House, Dean traveled the world, with a few of her most memorable trips being to Europe, Hawaii, out West to The Grand Canyon, and just last year, Alaska. She enjoyed camping, snorkeling, and sightseeing; and on Saturdays in the Fall, whether she was alone or with a group, you would find her watching football, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

She was a fiercely independent, elegant lady who could sew, cook, craft, or do anything she set her mind to, and she could tell a story that would crack herself up as much as those who got to hear it. She handmade porcelain dolls and sewed most of the clothes her children wore during their young lives, as well as all her granddaughters’ Easter dresses when they were children. She lived a lively, bold, fulfilling, energetic life and leaves behind a lasting positive impact on the lives of her family, those who became like family, and those who she touched throughout her amazing 83 years.

Dean’s life will be honored and celebrated on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at New Life Baptist Church in a funeral service at 3:00pm, with Pastor Richard Paul presiding.  Interment to follow at Bay Minette Cemetery, with pallbearers Andy Foster, Ryan Quinley, John Carlos Byrd, Bradley Cook, Levi Melton, and John Mark Little. The family will receive family and friends for visitation on Monday evening, May 22, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at New Life Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Ronald McDonald House in her honor. 

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