Iva Dean Dear

Iva was born on February 7, 1935, during a stormy middle of the night, to Amy and Emory Daughtry. The place was a 163 acre farm located in North Florida. She was the youngest of 5 children. After a rich life of 91 years, Iva went home to glory on Sunday, October 4 at the home of her daughter Jill. She was preceded in death by her husband James, all of her siblings, and precious mother and father.

Iva spent many days exploring the farm and watching nature. She faithfully attended Sunday School and helped with chores at home. Iva lost her father, due to a car accident, when she was 5, but had a strong mom that carried on to make sure the family flourished.

Iva went to Central School until 8th grade. Central was a one room schoolhouse. She made many friends and met her future husband here as well. As a teen, Iva went to high school in Jacksonville FL and attended Andrew Jackson High School. Later she and two of her closest friends were able to attend a training course at Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, NJ. After graduation from high school, Iva worked for the Prudential Insurance Company in Jacksonville for 2 and half years. She reviewed agent files and answered correspondence.

Her career was interrupted by the reacquaintance of James Dear (her fellow Central School classmate of 2 years her senior). James had joined the Marines and swept Iva off her feet and into life as a military wife. They had 3 children, Jill, Joe, Jan, and lived in Hawaii, FL, North Carolina, FL, Virginia and finally FL again to "retire from military life" on a 3 acre property located outside of Gainesville, FL. Here they would stay and were together for 63 years.

Iva and James raised their 3 children and taught them the value of education and hard work. Iva was always the spiritual nurturer and perpetual encourager of the importance of being honest, loving one another, and doing good. She took care of her home, supported James as wife, helped to grow a garden, kept the freezer full of vegetables, and for a time, took care of her mother. Iva was a most excellent cook having learned by watching her mother. At one time, she was a Girl Scout leader and also taught Sunday School. Later, Iva enjoyed attending the University of Florida football games (Gators!). Iva had the most fantastic sense of humor and shared this with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Iva was a 2 time breast cancer survivor and 1 time lung cancer survivor. She worked as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and their Reach to Recovery program. She enjoyed helping other women navigate breast cancer by matching them with the right surgeons and the right equipment. Most of all, she encouraged them to never give up and always prayed for them.

Iva was a member of the Gainesville chapter of Womens Aglow. Womens Aglow is a global, interdenominational Christian organization focused on prayer, evangelism, and community outreach. She helped the organization by arranging speakers for their meetings. Iva loved her time with the ladies of Womens Aglow and grew by volumes in her faith through her association with this group.

Iva has 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Brantley, a great grandchild, did not have a chance to meet Iva, but would have been loved by Iva. She always loved her family very much and God even more. She held onto tremendous faith despite a journey with Dementia; knew joy, and loved to share it through her smiles. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile!! It left an impression with everyone she met in her lifetime.

Iva was an avid reader, loved old movies, enjoyed painting, nature and wanted to be useful always. She was an observer of human nature and would show concern for others if she detected they were in trouble. She was loved very much by not only her family but by everyone that met her. Iva was special and will be missed by her children, Jill (Craig) Joseph (Jennifer), and Jan. The spiritual legacy that she passed to her grandchildren will be remembered by Jennifer, Matthew, Katiana, Colin, Nicole, Emily and Christian.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville FL 32609