Lakeland Evening Telegram
Lakeland, Florida
January 25 1917Mr. J. M. Deen, brother of Mr. C. W. Deen, of this city, died last night at 1 o'clock at Morrell Memorial Hospital, after a long illness of kidney trouble. He had been at the hospital only a week when the end came, being in a critical condition when taken there.
The body was shipped at noon today to the home of the deceased at Seville, near DeLand, where interment will be made tomorrow. The sorrowing wife, a brother, Mr. Elzie Deen and two nephews, Grady Deen and Dan Deen accompanied the remains. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Deen will go up on the early train tomorrow to attend the funeral.
Mr. Deen was about 65 years of age, and was a prominent truck and fruit grower of Seville. He reared a family of twelve children, nine of whom are married, all living in the state. He had 26 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was a man of sterling character and was highly esteemed by a host of friends, all of whom deeply sympathize with the sorrowing family in the great loss they have sustained.
Polk City Star
Polk City, Florida
Friday, January 25 1917The death of Jas M Deen, which occurred at Morrell Memorial hospital yesterday morning at 1 o'clock came not as an unexpected occurrence, but dealing out general sadness and sorrow among his host of friends and relatives.
He was brought to the hospital from his home in Seville, about a week ago, and was suffering from a serious kidney disorder, and it was understood at that time that life was only a question of a few days.
The deceased was a brother of our townsman, C. W. Deen, who with his devoted wife and other members of the family join in the mourning of the death of a true and noble father, husband, and citizen.
The corpse was prepared by the Gentry Undertaking Parlors, and the remains were shipped to Seville for internment.
Baxley News Banner
Baxley, Georgia
Friday, February 9, 1917J. Monroe Deen was born in Appling County, Georgia, May 17, 1853, and went home to heaven, from the hospital in Lakeland, January 25, 1917. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery in his late home, Seville, Fla., the following day. It was the privilege of the writer of these lines to preach the funeral, the text being Second Corinthians, fifth chapter and fourth verse. Perhaps the largest audience ever assembled at Seville on a similar occasion, was present at the funeral services.
Brother Deen was married to Miss M. J. J. S. Miles, March 18, 1875. Many years ago he moved with his family to Florida, where he at once became identified with all that was best in his community. Soon after his marriage, he joined the Methodist Church, and adorned his profession to the end. For a long time he was a faithful official in the church, being a steward and trustee at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife, twelve children, twenty-six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three brothers and two sisters. The children are: Mrs. Lillie Reagan, Jacksonville; Emmett Deen, Bunnell; Elzie and Ed Deen, Loughman; Mrs. Arminda Harris, Morriston; Mrs. Ella Waters, Seville; Mrs. Alice Andrews, Fort Lauderdale; Mrs. Kate Causey, Deland; Mrs. Nettie Bennett, Pierson; and Misses Ruby, Ethel, and Mary Lou Deen. The brothers are George Deen, Waycross, Ga.; Dan Deen, Bunnell; and Columbus Deen, Lakeland. The sisters are: Mrs. Harriet Thompson and Mrs. Ethalinda Williams, both of Baxley, Ga.
Bro Deen did not accumulate a large store of material things. His rugged honesty and sense of justice would not allow him to take the turns that many men take in order to make money. But he was rich in a good name and treasure laid up in heaven. He was charitable to a rare degree. His hand and heart were always open to the distressed. He not only refrained from speaking evil of others, but verily he seemed to think no evil. He was modest and unpretending, gentle as a woman, trusting as a child, and true as steel.
Religion was a vital force with him. He seemed to be always in touch with God, and ever seeking to get closer. His humble, though beautiful, piety was inspiring. He believed in his Church, and proved his faith by his works. His pastor could always find in him a safe and ready friend and counsellor. As husband and father, he was faithful and tender. His home of piety and harmony and hospitality, where the happy visitor found hearty welcome, and the trouble or afflicted sojourner ever found sympathy and cheer.
Death held no terrors for Bro Deen; for, with Paul, he could truly say, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." His bereaved loved ones have the Christian's consolation. He had but entered into rest, and his "works do follow" him. Truly, mortality is "swallowed up of life."
R. E. L. Folsom
Baxley News Banner
Baxley, Georgia
February 2, 1917Obituary was the same as that appearing in the Lakeland Evening News listed above and was credited to that newspaper. Added was:
Mr. Deen was a native of Appling County and was one of our most successful planter prior to moving to Florida about ten years ago. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. Harriet Thompson and Mrs. E. L. R. Williams of Baxley, and Geo. W. Deen of Waycross.
Mr. Deen's large circle of friends throughout the county will be deeply grieved to learn of his untimely death.
