Richard R. Dickens (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Richard Ray Dickens, son of Earl and Lois Shockley Dickens, was born May 27, 1949, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, August 29, 2020, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-one years, three months, and two days.
On October 3, 1969, he was united in marriage to Malda Jo Baker, and to this union three daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John and Charles Dickens.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Jo, of the home; three daughters, Maria Estle, and her husband, Travis, of Richland, Missouri, Cathy Hall, and her husband, William, of Ripley, Mississippi, and Wendy Dickens, and her husband, Chris, of Richland, Missouri; a son, Rickey Dickens, and his wife, Hannah, of Grovespring, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Deborah, Leah, Izzy, Brooke, Elesha, Elijah, R-Ja, Avaya, Garrett, and Austin; a brother, George Dickens, of Republic, Missouri; four sisters, Shirley Knight, of Rogersville, Missouri, Barbara Scott, of Ozark, Missouri, Ruth Weeks, of Springfield, Missouri, and Lin Tracy, of Joplin, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born in Lebanon, Missouri, and then moved with his family to a farm near Springfield, Missouri, where Richard was raised. He graduated from Glendale High School in the Class of 1967. He then served in the United States Army National Guard for a few years. He worked as a brick mason doing building construction throughout the area for over thirty years. The family made their home on their farm near Richland that Richard’s family had owned for over one hundred years.
Richard had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
He liked raising cattle and doing farm work. He possessed a good sense of humor and loved to laugh. He was a friend to everyone and never met a stranger. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
Friends may call at their convenience.
Memorial to Mt. Salem Cemetery.
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