Inez Deal's Obituary
Inez Clark was born to Roselia Clark on January 10, 1926 in Meeker, Louisiana, the youngest of six children. After Inez graduated from Peabody High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, she and her sister Olivia followed their oldest sister Margarite to California. While living in San Francisco, Inez became acquainted with Leon Deal, a friend of her brother-in-law, James Perry, and former classmate of her sister Olivia. Inez and Leon were married on November 3, 1944 in a double ceremony with Olivia and James.
Inez and Leon proudly raised eight children in San Francisco. While her children were young, Inez worked part-time for notable San Francisco beauty salons and as a housekeeper. These jobs allowed her to spend more time with her children. Family meant everything to Inez and it was very important that her children be self-sufficient and good citizens of this world. She wanted to make sure they all were equipped with the skills and education needed to succeed.
In the mid-1970s, Inez and Leon opened Deal’s Dry Cleaners in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district. Inez and Leon, along with their children, successfully owned and operated Deal’s Dry Cleaners for nearly a decade.
Inez worked at E.R. Taylor Child Development Center for many years as a paraprofessional, where she was affectionately known as “Grandma” by students. Inez loved children and would do anything she could to help them succeed. Years after Inez retired, her former students would visit and bring her gifts, asking for advice and expressing gratitude for how much she influenced their lives.
Inez was an excellent cook, and Leon would joke that he taught her everything she knew about cooking. Inez and Leon would cook together making dishes such as gumbo, succatash, and Leon’s mother’s famous tamales. Inez and Leon were avid SF Giants fans and would watch all the games together. After Inez retired, she and Leon would pick up their granddaughters from school. This special time with their grandparents provided many cherished memories for the girls and they remain profoundly grateful for all of the love and guidance they received.
Inez looked forward to the frequent visits and phone calls from her beloved nieces and nephews; she thought of them as her own children and always considered herself fortunate for their love and attention.
Inez loved her coffee, and it had to be good and strong. Every morning, like clockwork, she would have coffee with her eldest niece Olivia. After Olivia passed, she would have her coffee and talk to her good friend and neighbor Judy Lazzeri.
As a Christian, Inez lived her life according to the teachings of Christ. She always tried to help those in need and was guided by the simple concept from the Bible that “God is Love” and we should mirror that love with one another. She and Leon were active members of Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church for many decades and valued their spiritual community and the friends they made.
Inez was preceded in death by her husband Leon, son Leon Larry, and her mother, Roselia, sisters, Margarite, Olivia, and Geneva, and brothers Major and Clarence (“Sam”). She leaves behind her seven surviving children Marilyn Jackson (Harding, deceased), Gwendolyn Francois (Wade, deceased), Joan Deal (Calvin McDonald), Judy Deal Bryant (Milton, deceased), Clarence Deal, Janet Deal Mayorga (Michael), and Mark Deal; five granddaughters: Autumn Francois, Lauren Vree (Jared), Danielle Francois, Veronica Mayorga, and Ashley McDonald; great-grandchildren Aiden, Camille, Ezequiel and Kalia; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Inez?
What’s a lesson you learned from Inez?
Share a story where Inez's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Inez you’ll never forget.
How did Inez make you smile?