Sherdeana M. Gravely, the third of eleven children born to the late Charles and Channie White was born on August 10, 1943 in Ashland, West Virginia.  Sherdeana, affectionately known as Dean, weighed less than two pounds, thus landing her the name of “Shoe Baby” because she could fit in a shoebox.

Sherdeana received her primary education in the Henry County Public Schools, and in 1961 she graduated from George Washington Carver High School.  It was in the eleventh grade that Dean met her high school sweetheart, Thurman G. Gravely SR. They married on June 30, 1962 and from this union their son Thurman Gravely Jr. (Mano) was born.

In July of 1970 Dean relocated to Philadelphia with Thurm as he established and managed his own construction company named “Gravely and Son.” After adjusting to the “city” she discovered her favorite pastime… shopping. She was an avid shopper with an exquisite taste for the “finer things in life.” Sherdeana soon began employment at the University of Pennsylvania in September of 1970. She was a dedicated employee working in various positions for twenty-eight years of devoted service until September of 1998.

Dean accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and Lord in 1980, and became a member of Little Rock Tabernacle Baptist Church under the spiritual tutelage of Rev. William P. Lemon. During the late 80s Dean and Thurm opened their home and heart to adopt “Shawn and Missy” after her mother’s death. She continued to gain strength from the Lord as she raised the girls and became beloved “Auntie” and “Grandmom Dean.” Her devotion and commitment to God’s word led her to further her Christian education by growing her faith. In 1994, Dean graduated from Manna Bible Institute under Dr. Ruffin.

Sherdeana and Thurm became residents of Marlton, New Jersey in 2000.  She then became a member of Bethany Baptist Church under the teachings of Bishop David G. Evans.  On any given Sunday you could find Dean at the door greeting congregants with a welcoming smile. At the tender age of 55 she joined “Saints Alive” of Bethany Baptist where she traveled, attended plays and “fellowshipped” with other seasoned believers. To be closer to work she accepted employment as a Referral Coordinator where she worked for Advocare of Medford for twenty years.

In October of 2018 Dean relocated to her hometown in Martinsville, Virginia. She continued her growth in Christ by becoming a member of First Baptist Church under the teaching of Rev. Charles R. Whitfield. In 2023, illness took a toll on her health, and she became homebound but that did not decrease her love for the Lord. LaShanda and the “the girls” took care of her for nine months attending to her needs. In August of 2024, due to the increased need of full-time care, Sherdeana moved with her son to Newark Delaware.

On Wednesday December 25, 2024, at her son’s home, Dean transitioned from this earthly life to her eternal home. Preceding her in death was her husband, Thurman G. Gravely Sr, eight siblings M. Odessa Gentry, M. Lorraine White, Victoria Daniels, John Robert White, H. Douglass White, Larry White, Marilyn Hairston and Pamela White. Her memory will be cherished by: her son, Thurman G. Gravely Jr. (Naomi) of Newark Delaware, two daughters Melissa Trusty (Daniel) of Philadelphia, LaShanda Hairston-Williams (Edward) of Ridgeway Virginia, one sister, Darsell Young (Stephan) of Marlton, New Jersey, one brother, Anthony White of Martinsville,Virginia.

Also to cherish her memory is her grandchildren Caleb Chaney Gravely, Ethan Bernard Gravely, TaNae Jardine, Stephan Young Jr., Ryan Young, Raven Young, Robyn Young, Rome Young, Jared Trusty, Micah Trusty, Neenah Trusty, Sierra Hairston, SieAni Hairston, SaNai Hairston-Williams, SaMya Williams; a goddaughter Janice M.Thompson and two great-grands Cornelius B. Jones III, and SyRah Hairston-Smith and  a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.