Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com Dexter Christian passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 surrounded by his loving family and brother and sister in Christ. He fought his cancer battle bravely, never giving up till the very end. Dexter is survived by his wife, Gail and their two daughters, Alisa and Evita, as well as many other loving family members. He is preceded in death by his mother, Mozelle Gross Christian, founder of the Georgia Star Student Program, and his father, Gilmer Christian, and brother, Gilmer Chrisitan Jr. Being a lifelong Atlantan, Dexter was raised in Atlanta's First Baptist Church from the time he was a young child. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the young age of 9. Losing his dad early in life, in his 20's, Dexter became part of 'Big Brother' nonprofit to help boys without fathers. He was Big Brother to a disabled young boy for 15 years and won 'Big Brother of the Year' for several years. Among other interests in earlier years, Dexter started a book club that lasted 20 years. Although being a lifelong learner and his love of teaching, what was most important to Dexter was his Christian faith, and being a role model to his daughters. He ensured that his daughters would be raised in the church with Christian values and beliefs. His family were members of Cumming First United Methodist Church for over 10 years, where their children went on mission trips, and their family served teaching Sunday School along with other volunteer activities including their daughter's church's youth program. Both their daughters were Confirmed and Baptized at CFUMC. Upon moving to Big Canoe, Dexter was involved in Big Canoe Chapel's Sunday School and Trinity Church and their Men's Bible Study. The men in his Bible Study were like brothers to him, and he so cherished their friendships. They were always there for him, until the end, through his long hospital and LTAC stays. Dexter was a lifelong teacher - teaching philosophy, business ethics, history and other humanity courses for the University of North Georgia for the past eight years. As well, he taught at Georgia State's eCore Online Program and SNHU after retiring from Devry University where he served as Senior Professor for 25 plus years along with serving as Department Chair. Dexter attended Georgia State University and graduated from Georgia State University's first Master's Program in Philosophy. From there, he attended Emory University for almost 9 years working toward his Doctorate Degree while working full time at Alston and Bird Law Firm and Travelers Insurance Company. While working toward his Doctorate he worked as an adjunct professor at Georgia State College before securing a full-time position at DeVry University. In addition to being full time faculty at DeVry University, Dexter continued his teaching at various colleges throughout Atlanta as well as Shorter University in Rome, Georgia because of his love for teaching students. Dexter instilled in both his children the love of learning as education was so important to him. His oldest daughter is becoming an elementary teacher and is finishing up her senior year at the university. He was always so very proud of both his daughters. They came to the US at ages 4 and 10 having to learn English. Dexter was always encouraging them whether in academics or other endeavors in their lives. When his oldest made the RU's President's Honor Roll two years straight, and was one of the winners of the PAGE (GA Educators) scholarship, he was the proudest dad. He was also very proud of his youngest and always encouraged her - helping with projects and her studies. She was in honor classes in high school and he was so proud of the hard work she always put forth. But most importantly, he was so proud of the two young women they had become with such kind, loving and caring hearts! His family was there day after day during months of hospital stays as his daughters were there every day while off school during holidays, always ensuring their dad was being taken good care of and his immediate needs met - even giving him foot and hand massages to get him through the long days. The love they showed to their dad was incredible during those difficult times. Dexter and Gail always said their daughters were 'gifts' from God that they had been blessed with to love, nurture and to be raised in a Christian home. And always praying they come to know and trust their Heavenly Father and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Dexter and his wife found their retirement home in Big Canoe when he decided to semi-retire but decided to continue teaching at UNG. His wife becoming a full-time mom later in life, adopting their daughters after resigning from 32 years in the business world, most recently a career in software IT with Georgia Department of Education. A leap of faith for both to spend 5 weeks in Eastern Europe finalizing guardianship of their daughters they hosted over the summer months. Then two more trips there to finalize the adoption. After selling their beloved farm where so many memories were made, both Dexter and Gail felt that God led them to the Big Canoe community as they were both outdoor and nature lovers. They immediately found the people there to be such kind and caring folks. Throughout Dexter's sickness, people in their Trinity church, Sunday School and the Big Canoe's Women's Fellowship along with neighbors have been there to help in any way. Dexter quickly adjusted although Gail missed her farm and the animals and all the memories they made. But both loved hiking the Big Canoe trails to falls and the wonderful friends they had met in Big Canoe. Dexter loved pedaling his new kayak on the lake alongside his wife, and especially meeting his daughter after school to take their two fur friends to the dog park. Although not a big golfer, he spent precious times with his youngest who was on the high school's golf team at Big Canoe driving range and putting greens along with an occasional round of golf. During the fall months, he treasured his daughter driving him and his wife in the golf cart while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and wildlife. His later days before spending last months away from home, his family and daughters would spend quiet times sitting by the lake talking about family memories, vacations, the farm, and all their special times together. All the memories helped him get through those hard days ahead. Always the optimist, Dexter stayed positive till the end, that he would fight and make it through this 'battle'. He and his family were so looking forward to him going to Wellstar's rehab for 10 or so days, and then (after months long stays at hospital and LTAC) the family was looking forward to the day he would come home - enjoying just being together as a family again. Although the Lord had His Plan. That Plan was for Dexter to go to his Eternal Home and to be healed and no longer suffering. His family has found some solace knowing God's Plan is Perfect. They know their dad and husband is rejoicing in Heaven with his Lord and Savior and those loved ones that passed before him. He will be greatly missed by all his family, friends, pastors and his brothers in Christ. He was dearly loved. Although Dexter's passing leaves a big hole in his family's heart. They will always treasure those almost 13 years that God gave them as a family and all the special memories they made together. And they treasure the wonderful loving and kind people that the Lord has brought into their lives when moving here to the Big Canoe Mountains. Dates for the Memorial Service will be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked if you wish to make a donation, please go to 'Esophageal Cancer Action Network Inc' ( ECAN) nonprofit to make a memorial tribute in Dexter's honor. https://ecan.org/tributes/memorial-tributes/. Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers and top seven fatal cancers. Awareness and understanding the symptoms for early detection is key in the fight against this cancer. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.