Obituary of Ritchard Lane Bean

Ritchard Lane “Dickie” Bean entered into his heavenly rest on August 13, 2019.  Husband, Daddy, Pawpaw, Brother, Senor Frijole, Pastor, Sergeant, Friend – Ritchard embraced and embodied each of these roles with love and grace.  Ritchard was born on July 8, 1947 in McComb, Mississippi, where he spent most of his early summers visiting his grandparents, Nephus and Hazel Bean.  He grew up in Nederland, Texas and attended Hillcrest Baptist Church.  It was there that he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12 and soon after surrendered his life to the gospel ministry.  He was integral in starting a bible study before school at Nederland High School; Dickie could be seen each day sporting his black slacks, white dress shirt, black tie, and Bible.   Ritchard attended East Texas Baptist College from 1965-67, where he met the love of his life, Judy Jones.  This year they celebrated 52 years of blessed marriage. He served as pastor of numerous churches through the years, and also joined the Beaumont Police Department in 1970 where he served the public for 12 years, rising to the ranks of sergeant.  Ritchard returned to ETBU and graduated with his teaching degree in 1992, and then earned his Masters in Education from Lamar.  He taught High School Spanish at Warren where he inspired and mentored many students throughout his career.  Ritchard’s final church was First Baptist Village Mills, where he and Judy served 22 years, pastoring, fellowshipping, and loving the people of Village Mills. Ritchard was a great example to all of us – family and friends – shining the light of the gospel message, preaching and living out the words of Jesus.  Ritchard is survived by his wife Judy, their four children and their spouses, Tim and Kristin Bean of Evadale, Christy and Jamey Greer of Chester, Andi and Dwayne Williford of Kountze, and Matt and Jessica Bean of Fannett.  His 14 grandchildren include Cody Greer, Bucky Bean and wife Kendall, Jacye Greer, Hunter Williford, Joey Greer, Jared Greer, Daniel Bean, Cayla Greer, William Williford, Titus Bean, Dawson Williford, Gracie Williford, Sawyer Williford, and Sunny Bean.  He had two great-grandchildren, Raylee and Briar Bean. Ritchard is also survived by his loving sister, Connie Bean Brast and husband Harold of Katy, and his step-mother Minion Bean of Lindale. He is preceded in death by his parents Sheldon Bean and Mauvorleen Shoefstall and step-father Adrian Shoefstall, brother Robert “Bobby” Bean, and sister Penny Bean Ross. 

Daddy, we will miss your laughter, your corny jokes, your sermons, and your love for all things Andy Griffeth.  Thank you for being our lighthouse, our pastor, our friend.  Until we meet again in heaven, we will hold tight to our precious memories.