Rachel Dougherty

Rachel Beaman Dougherty of Fayette passed away on June 12, 2023, in Columbia, MO.  Rachel was born August 21,1933, in rural Howard County to Lesley Beaman and Nona (Dodson) Beaman.  She graduated from New Franklin High School, class of 1950, and attended many continuing education credits in social work from the University of Missouri.

Rachel was the director of the Human Development Corporation (HDC) for 31 years and was known statewide for her work with community action agencies and programs.  She also worked in organizing Senior Citizen programs in Howard County, serving on the Area Agency on Aging covering 19 counties for over 20 years.  In retirement she stayed busy volunteering at Bible Baptist Church, Food Pantry, Common Fund Breakfast fundraising, Holiday House, and numerous other community events. She was responsible for the Coat Closet, giving away 100’s of coats each year.  Rachel always looked for opportunities to help others and influenced many families for the better over the years.

Rachel spent many happy summers at the family farm, growing and canning many items to share with family and friends. Her special interests included reading, flowers and feeding 100’s of hummingbirds.  To know her was to love her.

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband, Lee Dougherty, parents, Robert and Nona Beaman, 4 brothers, and a sister. She is survived by daughters Deborah Westrup (Philip) of Cherryville, Charla Jay of New Franklin, Cathy Turman (Paul) of Searcy, Arkansas, and Leesa Wyatt (Roger) of Fayette, son Danny Daugherty (Liz) of Fayette, stepson Bill (Paula) Dougherty of Higbee, 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral service will be held 11 AM, Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, MO, with Bro. Carroll Schoenhals officiating.  Visitation will be an hour before the service starting at 10 AM.  Burial will follow the service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in rural Higbee, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.

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