Dedra Newman Castle

"A shining beacon of grace, courage, and faith." Dedra Newman Castle was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and human resources executive. She spent her entire life helping others to become happier, more productive people. She touched many lives and took special interest in mentoring women in their careers. Her interests were diverse, and included her family, her faith, yoga, fishing, cooking and eating great food, traveling, watching classic movies and mystery stories, and her spoiled pups. A life overflowing with abundant joy in all that she did, Dedra had a unique gift for making everyone around her comfortable and at ease. Her smile and laughter animated the world. For the past 25 years Dedra served as an executive officer for four Fortune 500 Companies, and sat on several nonprofit boards of directors. Most recently she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Rite Aid Stores, Inc. of Camp Hill, PA. Before joining Rite Aid, and in partnership with her husband Jay Castle, Dedra launched and operated Level Mediation LLC and Castle Partners LLC where she resolved civil court disputes and provided human resources consulting services to clients across the Southeast. She previously led the corporate human resources department and was the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer for the Sam's Club Division of Walmart Stores, Inc. of Bentonville, AR. Additionally, Dedra served as the Group Vice President for Human Resources for Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL, and the Director of Field and Corporate Human Resources for AutoZone, Inc. of Memphis, TN. Dedra attended the Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, LA where she learned the importance of "serviam" – I Will Serve. She graduated magna cum laude from National University (San Diego) and also attended Loyola University of the South (New Orleans). She held a graduate certificate in Conflict Analysis & Resolution from Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale). She leaves behind a broken-hearted husband, Jay, as well as son Derrick Dogan, son Maddux Castle, son Jaager Good and his wife Sentra, daughter Lillian Castle, grandson Ryker Castle Good, parents Nan Castle and Frank Castle, sisters Laura Lynn Atkins and LuAnne Wilson, numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and cousins, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her devoted and beloved mother Lillie Mae McCray Newman and father Robert Newman, from whom she learned the importance of unconditional love and faith. Dedra's memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 10 am EDT at the First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota, Florida 34237. Family requests donations to the organizations that best embody Dedra's philanthropy: Ursuline Academy, 2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70188, and/or Sertoma Kids, Inc., PO Box 25412, Sarasota, FL 34277, and/or Lighthouse International, 111 E 59th St, New York NY 10022, and/or Girls, Inc. of Sarasota, 201 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237.

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Dedra Newman Castle

May 15, 1966 - August 9, 2017