Faril Bea Dickens

Faril Bea Dickens nee Schimdt, 93, of Saint Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. 

Faril Bea Schmidt Dickens’ story began on a hot summer afternoon on July 29, 1931.  The Farrell sisters had gathered to make apple butter. It makes sense that her mom would take a break from work to give birth to one of the hardest working women ever born.   

Faril Bea was the daughter and first-born child of William Schmidt and Agnes Mae Farrell Schmidt. She was born at the family farm in Spring Bluff, Missouri. Two years later, her brother Don was born. She grew up on a farm and did all the hard work that’s required. She was also a very curious little girl. The local teacher allowed her to start a year early because she was so bright, later she skipped a grade.   

In her teens, the family moved to town and she went to Sullivan High School. She was active at school, always making good grade, singing in the choir and being a part of plays and shows. She lettered and wore her letter sweater and the Eagle proudly.   

After graduating from high school at 16, she took advantage of a program that was designed to take care of the teaching shortage after World War II. She began her three year teaching career, one room schools in Franklin County, for the next three years.  She absolutely loved being a teacher. 

In the late1940’s, a young man came from St. Louis to live in Bourbon, MO.  He was shy, skinny, and frankly, just a little bit pitiful. Vic Dickens had taken her for a ride to Meramec State Park and his junker car had boiled over. When he joined the Air Force in 1950, he asked Faril Bea if she would write to him.  She told him that she would think about it. Evidently, she did write. 

Vic came home from basic training on Christmas Eve. Faril Bea was out caroling with her church group on the church bus. When she returned to church, the handsome Airman stood waiting for her in the snow.  Miss Schmidt did not sign a contract to teach the next year, instead she and Agnes crossed nearly 1200 miles of America and she married Victor on June 30, 1951, in El Paso, Texas. Somewhere along the way, she was renamed Bea by Vic. She remained  Faril Bea to friends, family and Sullivan and Bea in the city. 

Bea became a homemaker and Mom without peer. In 1954 Linda Kay was born, Kathy Ann was born in 1957, and Kevin Victor in 1965.  She brought all of her energy into creating a home where she loved to entertain her friends and family. She used her skills as a seamstress to dress herself, her children, and make bedspreads, drapes and curtains.  She loved to cook, and fed friends, family and neighbors. She loved her garden. She also loved to shop.  She never stopped learning, never stopped reading.  Somehow, she was able to take a fairly small income and stretch it farther than seemed possible. She was able to save a bit of money every week, and the family took incredibly memorable s vacations, visiting historical sites, museums, and old friends. 

After the children were all in school, she began working for Sears, and later at Dalco where she was in charge of bath and kitchen installations. She retired from Dalco in 1996.  

She and Vic became RVers in their 60’s and with Don and Erma, their brother and sister-in-law, they toured the country they loved so much. They continued to RV well into their 80’s.  

Her other great love and the center of life in her retirement, was her grandchildren.  Paige, the daughter of Kathy and Jim Runge, and Andrew (Bonnie), Connor (Elizabeth), and Nathan (Rachel), sons of Kevin and Monica. Grandma’s House was always fun, holidays and birthdays were magical. She also has three great grandsons, Mathew, Hunter, and Theodore. 

The most important thing in Faril Bea Schmidt Dickens’ life was her relationship to her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ. Vic and Bea were fully devoted Christ followers.  Their life centered around that relationship. Their mornings began with Poptarts, coffee, a two-hour prayer list.  Everyone knew who to call when prayer was needed.   

Vic passed away on March 27, 2020.  She missed him terribly, but continued to live on her own for two years. The last two years she has slowed down. She often talked about how much she missed all of her friends, and of course, Vic. She was very ready to be in heaven. She was ready to run again.   

When she left on September 4, 2024, there is no doubt that she entered directly into the throne room and was told, “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.” 

Faril Bea is survived by her three beloved children: Linda Dickens of Florissant, Missouri, Kathy Runge and husband Jim of Pasadina Hills, Missouri and Kevin Dickens and wife Monica of Manchester, Missouri; four grandchildren: Paige Springer and husband Paul of Columbia, Missouri, Andrew Dickens and wife Bonnie of Saint Louis, Missouri, Connor Dickens and wife Elizabeth of Kansas City, Missouri and Nathan Dickens and wife Rachel of Saint Louis, Missouri; three great grandchildren: Matthew, Hunter and Theodore Dickens; other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Dickens; her parents, William and Agnes (Farrell) Schmidt; and her brother, Don Schmidt and his wife, Erma. 

Funeral Service will be 11 AM, Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Robert Pickett officiating. 

Visitation will be 10 – 11 AM, Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, prior to the funeral service. 

Friend may send their online condolences to Faril Bea’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com 

All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.