On Thursday, February 15, 2018, Elizabeth Dean Phillips Barrios went home to be with her Lord.  Visitation will be held at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, beginning on Sunday February 18 at 5:00 pm with visitation and a Rosary at 6:30 pm, officiated by Deacon Larry David.  A funeral mass with Reverend Sinclair Oubre officiating will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange on Monday 19 at 10:00 am.   Graveside services will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Elizabeth Dean was born in Asher, Oklahoma on January 4, 1930 to James Isom and Lavenia Phillips.  Her early years were spent in Oklahoma, before moving to Orange in 1943.  She met and married the love of her life, Levy Joseph Barrios, Jr. in 1948.  Dean contributed to her community in many ways.  She was a Red Cross swimming instructor, a Cub Scout and Campfire leader, and an AAUW pre-school teacher for 12 years.  She went on to create J & J Montessori pre-school where she taught four of her grandchildren.  Dean temporarily relocated to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania with her husband where she enjoyed exploring new roads.  Upon returning to Orange in 1990, she became involved with Orange County Master Gardeners, P.E.O. Chapter GW in Orange, Ivy League Garden Club, local quilt guild, Friends to the Library, Lutcher Theater and Shangri La.  Among her hobbies was a passion for plants, traveling and playing bridge.  Dean was a masterful seamstress and blue-ribbon quilt maker.  She was an avid reader and never stopped learning, teaching and inspiring all those who knew her.

Elizabeth Dean was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law Jerry Schlabs.  She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, sister Marilyn Sanderson, and five children and their spouses:  Jim and Carol Barrios, Gail Schlabs, Claire and Stanley Cooper, Michael and Kathleen Barrios and Cathy and Doug Taylor.  She will also forever live in the hearts of her 9 grandchildren:  Rachael Smith, Beth Smith, Lindsey Pautsky, Jonathan and Brian Schlabs, Jennifer and Philip Cooper, and Zachary and Hannah Taylor.  She also has 8 great-grandchildren: Sam, Anna and Jeannie Smith, Emily Pautsky, Mackenzie and Willow Schlabs, Baily Alfaro and Ava Montondon.