Bobbie Jean Bean

Bobbie Jean Bean 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 23rd at her residence with her two boys by her side. A visitation for Bobbie will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home, 11924 E. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133, followed by a funeral service from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Bobbie was born on January 13, 1946 to Charles and Mary Ridpath and was the youngest of their four daughters. Bobbie and her sisters, Mary Louise, Carol Sue, and Charla Dean grew up near Pierce City, MO.

In her early 20's, she moved to Kansas City, MO where she became a librarian. Bobbie loved books so much that she remained a librarian throughout her adult life, culminating in her position at Saint Paul School of Theology. In addition to practically running things in the seminary's library, she became known as one of the people on campus the students could talk to, become friends with, and even confide in. She was the type of person who always seemed to have an answer, and that answer usually got students where they needed to go. Over the years she introduced us boys to many of her students. She got to know so many pastors that when Josh or I would go on field trips out of town she told us "If you ever get lost or in trouble, just find a United Methodist Church and tell them who your mom is." Then we would quiz her on just about every town we were going to and she always knew the name of the UMC church and the name of their preacher.

I've been struggling these past few days to write this, because there are a lot of details about my mom's life that I don't know. What I do know is this: My mom was the type of person that everyone knew and was always happy to see. She always had a kind word for you, unless you needed a different kind of word. I don't know about that old phrase "lighting up the room" but she sure as hell could light up everyone in that room! She was warm, always. She was kind when you needed it and would kick your ass when you needed it. She is the single funniest person I have ever known. She was quick-witted and full of odd sayings, colloquialisms, and soliloquies. There were a bunch of kids on our street and she treated each one the same as she treated her own. She was also the mom that nobody wanted her knowing when they'd gotten into trouble. They were always welcomed at our home, no matter what was going on at theirs. She kept us all safe.

Growing up with her wasn't always easy. We were so poor mom would've unplugged the clocks to save on the electric bill, if she could have, but we always had enough to eat and good healthcare. We also had a big network of friends and family to count on. Family like Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Ron (late) Carver, and their two daughters, Melanie and Mary Heather; Aunt Carol Sue and Uncle Fred (late) Hirsch and their kids, Lesa, Jamie, and Carolee; Aunt Charla and Uncle Jim Wilks and their two boys, Jeff and Michael. Not to mention all of our cousins and their spouses and children. Friends like Carolyn Isaacs, Kathy Thomas, Dale Jones and Wanda McCoy. All of these people were a regular part of our lives. Her favorite people? Unquestionably her grandchildren! Josh's kids, Joshua Jr. & McKenzie and my kids, Nicholas Ridpath Jr. & Declan are the ones she loved the most. No one could bring a smile to her face faster than each one of them. The times when they were all together, was when she was the happiest. The only possible exception being her grand dogs, Steven Q, Nellie, Little Bit, Molli, Chester, Joe, Meredith and all of the others. She LOVED dogs. Cats, not so much.

I could go on and on about my mom but the truth is, if you were lucky enough to know her, you loved her and she loved you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Bean family.