Beverly Darling

Beverly Ann Darling, 89, of Smithville, MO passed peacefully on June 18, 2026 after succumbing to a lengthy illness.

She was born in Warrensburg, MO during the Great Depression and she was raised in that small town into early adulthood. Her parents, Alexander and Verna Rush, both passed while she was still a child and she spent the remainder of her youth being raised by her aunts, Eva and Olive Pollock. She graduated high school in 1955 and then attended Central Missouri State College (now known as the University of Central Missouri.)

She met her future husband, Frank Darling, while she was working at a hospital during those college years. He was injured while playing college football and she was a part of his care team.

They married in 1957 and remained united in wedlock until his passing in 2005. Together, they raised four children: Tammy Darling of Independence, MO; Scott Darling of Kearney, MO; Brian Darling of Smithville, MO; and Patrick Darling of Grain Valley, MO.
She spent her working years as an elementary school teacher with her longest tenures in the Mehlville (St. Louis County) and Platte County school districts. She retired from teaching in 1999 and even though more than a quarter of a century has passed, her children can still remember her grading papers well into many evenings.

She enjoyed reading, travelling, gardening and doting on her pets. She had a real green thumb which benefited her family over the years. In particular, her home grown strawberries and tomatoes were a part of many spring and summer seasons. And later for her grandchildren, she also started a small pumpkin patch.

She will be remembered fondly for her many good character qualities. She set a high standard with her work ethic, her care, her honesty and her sense of right and wrong.
In addition to her children, she is also survived by her brother and sister in law, James and Dee Rush of Audubon, PA, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 26th at Prevail Church in Smithville.
Graveside Service: 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 26th at Oak Grove Cemetery, Higginsville, MO.