Dean v. Stuckey

This case is on appeal for determination of a single issue. We are required to construe the following clause of the will of Albert Dean, who died in 1959:

Upon the death of my brother, Howard Dean, and the termination of the life estate in my real estate bequeathed to him in this paragraph; I give, devise, and bequeath unto my beloved sisters, Mamie Dean and Georgia Dean, or to the survivor of them, all of my real estate absolutely and in fee simple. [Emphasis added.]

The life tenant, Howard Dean, died in 1977, and was predeceased by his sister, Mamie Dean. Georgia Dean yet survives as does…