Ernestine “Dean” Hallman departed this life peacefully on April 7, 2023, at age 88. She was a beloved mother, and grandmother and as she would always say “we all have to go sometime to the happy hunting grounds”. Dean, as she was affectionately known, was born February 25, 1935, in Leeds, Alabama, to Earnest and Zadie Potts. Her proudest accomplishment was always being the loving and wonderful mother she was to her three boys: Billy, Scott, and Larry.
In 1969, Dean graduated from nursing school and was licensed as a registered nurse (RN) where she spent her 40-year career in Birmingham hospitals taking care of those in need. Nursing was her gift, and, in that capacity, she truly went above and beyond serving others and their families, even returning after her retirement in 2010.
Dean loved the casino and was an avid slot machine player; her favorite being those at Pearl River Casino. Playing the slot machines brought true joy to Dean and her motto was always “well I can’t take it with me so I ought to have fun while I’m here.”
Dean loved to travel and always made time for family. Her overseas visits included Seoul, South Korea, the Virgin Islands, and Europe. She had a true love and appreciation for Germany and the history it held. She also looked forward to her annual Thanksgiving trips to San Antonio, Texas with the Copus crew, face-timing with Max in Italy and Germany and watching Magali compete for belts in Taekwondo. She never missed a summer birthday party for Aubree or Weslyn and Christmases at Larry’s lake house with the twins and their big sister, and the newest addition, Jett.
Dean found a new lease on life when she moved to Auburn, Alabama, after 80+ years in the Birmingham area. In Auburn, she found just as many “Roll Tides” as she did “War Eagles”. She enjoyed watching football games with her granddaughter, Sheena, and great-grandchildren, Landon, William, J.C., and Louis. Her favorite pastime was eating at Culvers with her son, Billy and watching old black & white shows such as Have Gun Will Travel and Black Sheep Squadron, with her son-in-law Stewart. Her family from all around the world kept traveling back to Auburn to spend wonderful quality time with Dean and she cherished every minute. She enjoyed the trips her son Larry would make twice a month to see her and Scott and Tammy’s frequent visits in their motor home to Chewacla State Park.
Dean is survived by her brother, Bobby (Debra) Potts, three sons: Billy, Scott (Tammy) Copus, and Larry Hallman; grandchildren Sheena (Clarence) Stewart, Kacee (Sam) Copus, Matthew Copus, Lee (Matt) Graham, Mikey (Paola), and Dillion (Raegan) Hallman; 14 great-grandchildren; her long-time casino friend, Doris Harris (Laquandia), and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends, to include Glenda Homan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Zadie Potts, sister, Ruth Combs, brothers, Red Potts and Leon Potts, daughter-in-law, Alecia Copus, and great-granddaughter, Millie Sloan.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.