Mary Dean Elrod, 99, a longtime resident of Naples, Texas, passed from this life on October 11, 2016. She was born February 14, 1917, in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, the daughter of Harvey B. and Mable Gibson Sherrill.

After graduating from Stephenville High School in 1935, Mary Dean moved to Dallas, Texas, in search of employment. While living and working there, Mary Dean experienced the most defining moment of her life. At age 19, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. From that moment forward, she passionately pursued a relationship with Jesus and a life of Christian service.

God gifted Mary Dean with a tremendous musical talent which she dedicated to Him. At the age of 23, after serving as pianist in her local church for several years, she joined the Rev. J. B. Smith's evangelistic group as an accordionist, pianist and vocalist. For almost 11 years, she traveled with Rev. Smith and his daughter, Inez Smith Burkett, conducting revivals in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Kansas, and Arkansas. Some revivals lasted as long as ten weeks. Throughout those years, a great number found God in a real and personal way.

On September 1, 1951, she married Henry Paul Elrod of Dallas, Texas. Paul later entered full-time Christian service as an ordained minister. Mary Dean served alongside him as a faithful ministry partner everywhere he was called. Her musical talent, warm personality, and love for people were invaluable qualities during their years of ministry together.

Mary Dean was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. She unselfishly devoted herself to caring for the needs of those she loved. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Mary Dean was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, of 62 years; her parents, Harvey B. and Mable Gibson Sherrill; and her brother, Harvey J. Sherrill.

Survivors include her daughter, Paula Elrod Geiselman and husband, Don, of Arlington, Texas; sons, Robert Sherrill Elrod and wife, Katherine, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Victor Lawrence Elrod and wife, Deborah, of Naples, Texas; grandchildren, James Robert Elrod of Rockwall, Texas, Paul Michael Elrod of Dallas, Texas, Nathan Paul Elrod and wife, Hannah, of Naples, Texas, Rachel Elrod Gray and husband, Joseph, of Daphne, Alabama, Lauren Amaris Elrod of Naples, Texas, and Aaron Matthew Geiselman of Arlington, Texas; twelve great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Omega Elrod, of Duncanville, Texas; brother-in-law, James William Elrod, and wife, Phyllis, of Waxahachie, Texas; and numerous other family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Rocky Point Congregational Methodist Church in Naples. Interment will follow at East New Hope Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.