Dean Dickens, cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, died in her home on September 22, 2025, at the age of 92 years old.

Dean was born in Wheaton, Missouri on December 15, 1932. She was one of 3 children born to Ray and Berniece Lamberson, who preceded her in death along with her younger brother and sister. She spent her formative years in Rocky Comfort, Missouri where she graduated from Rocky Comfort High School before moving to Kansas City after graduation. While living in Kansas City she reunited with a former boyfriend from High School, Dallas Dickens, and they were united in marriage on May 25,1952. They moved to Branson, MO in 1969, where they owned and operated the motels Brill’s Rainbow Resort, DJ’s Motel and Mountain Shadow Motel.

Dean was a volunteer for many organizations which included Hospice Compassus, Compassus Angel volunteer, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and the local chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI) and was on the Governor’s Mental Health Task Force. She received numerous awards throughout the community for her volunteer service.

Away from her life of volunteer service, Dean’s greatest calling was her devotion to her Christian faith and her family.  A member of Victor Baptist Church of Branson, she spent many hours in Bible study so that she could teach various classes at the church, which included both youth and adults. She was teaching a women’s Bible Study class up until the time of her death.

Dean was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Dallas Dickens, and 2 sons, Jerry Dickens and Dallas Gene Dickens. She is survived by her 2 daughters: Jill Heppner and Gayla Barker (Stan); 6 grandchildren: Jared Barker (Holly), Megann Barker (Jeff), Kala Russell (David), Blackwell Daka, Brian Heppner (Ronna), Kim Thrap (Larry); and 9 great grandchildren: Caleb and Addyson Barker, Finley Russell, Austin, Ben and Chandler Thrap, Eden, Dawson and Weston Heppner; nieces and nephews, John Russell and a host of church family and friends. Her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her.

She requested that her body be donated for scientific research through Genesis Medical Education and Research Institute and will be cremated at a later date.

A celebration of her life will be held on September 28 at Victor Baptist Church, Branson, MO at 3:00 pm with a cake reception/fellowship following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Victor Baptist Church Children’s Church, or Hospice Compassus.