Faye Dickerson

Faye Dickerson, 81, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO, on Monday, June 20, 2016, following a brief illness.

Neola Faye Dickerson was born on December 31, 1934, on the Sheely family farm just west of Unionville, MO. She was the daughter of Merrick Wald and Nora Marie (Huston) Sheely. She graduated from Unionville High School in 1952. Faye was united in marriage to Willis Carrol Dickerson on July 17, 1953.

Willis was inducted into the Unites States Army in September 1953. He and Faye lived out of the area for two years. Following his discharge, they returned to the area and purchased a farm southwest of Lemons.

Faye and Willis opened the Rathbun Country Music Theatre near Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa in 1974 and owned and operated that popular music show for over 40 years. Faye managed the box office and snack bar, while Willis led the show – a true team effort. Faye was also an active member of the United Methodist Church in Unionville where she was active in the choir and volunteered her time in several ministries over the years. Also active in the community, Faye taught sewing for the 4-H, often sang with the Keynotes singers, and belonged to the Hand Houston extension club.

Faye is survived by her husband, Willis, two sons, Steve Dickerson and his wife Kay of Lucerne, MO, and Brent Dickerson and his wife Kelly of Centralia, MO; and a daughter, Gena Fitzgerald and her husband Barry of Liberty, MO. Six grandchildren also survive: Angie (John) Sidden, Josh (Melody) Dickerson, Levi and Logan Dickerson, and Mikayla and Madisyn Fitzgerald; five great-grandchildren, Mitchel and Carter Sidden and Adeline, Gretchen, and Charley Dickerson. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Sell, of Unionville, MO, and a sister-in-law, Dixie Dickerson of Kansas City, MO, as well as nieces Mary Alice Gran and Terri Williams and nephew Larry Don Sell.

Faye was also preceded in death by a son, Timothy John Dickerson, who died in 1975, as well as her parents and brother, John Sheely.

Funeral services for Faye Dickerson will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Unionville United Methodist Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.