Joe Dean Foster was born on October 31, 1950 to the parentage of Arista Brooks and Betty Ann (Foster) Simpson in Navasota, Texas.

He is a proud product of the College Station public school system starting at Lincoln Elementary School (All Black) and graduating from A&M Consolidated High School that was integrated in his junior year.  Upon graduation, Joe Dean relocated to the DFW metroplex and enrolled in El Centro College.  He was recruited by Southwestern Bell to install phone lines on the telephone poles.  During this time he met and married Detra Ann (Hunnicutt) Foster. He remained with Southwestern Bell for over 20 years.

Joe Dean was preceded in death by his father, Arista Brooks; mother, Betty Ann (Foster) Simpson; and brother, Tommy Joe Simpson, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory three daughters: Shebra Hackett (Obra), Tiffany Crawford, and Eboni Foster; one son: Marcus Taylor; five sisters: Linda Jo Foster, Diane Lewis, Frances Sheree Simpson, Sharon A. Wilson, and Kristina E. Stansberry; three grandchildren: Reginald Dunlap II, Reanna Dunlap and Santana Crumpton; and a host of other loving relatives and friends .