August 26, 1938 – August 29, 2025
Mary Lou Mitchell was born on Friday, August 26, 1938, in Ashwood, Lee County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Parrott Willis Bell and Mary Catherine (Bundy) Bell.
She was 7th of nine children, having three older sisters, three older brothers, and two younger brothers. Mary Lou grew up and attended school in Sumter, South Carolina where she was a member of the graduating class of 1956 – Edmond High School.
Mary Lou Bell was introduced to Earl Wesley Mitchell, a talented musician and member of the 9th Air Force Band based at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. They were married on Friday, June 8, 1956, and they made their home in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Along with caring for her children, Mary Lou was a devoted wife, loyal companion, and ministry partner to her husband, faithfully serving by his side in teaching Sunday school and children’s church, leading after school Bible classes, helping with summer church camps, office tasks, exercising her gift of hospitality to missionaries’ home on furlough and traveling evangelists. She gladly moved and served alongside her husband in churches at Vibbard, Missouri, Liberty, Missouri, Cameron, Missouri, Independence, Missouri and finishing back in their home community of Excelsior Springs.
Mary Lou was a loving and caring grandmother who helped with her first grandchild, Andrea who was severely disabled with cerebral palsy, but still had enough love to share among her other grandchildren, Corey, Bethany, Brock, Max, and Zach. She found tremendous delight in her great-grandchildren, Peyton, Gage, Bella and Sadie who delighted in her homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Mary Lou’s selfless servants’ heart did not necessitate attention being drawn to her. She humbly served wherever and however she could.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Parrott Willis Bell and Mary Katherine Bell; sisters, Juanita, Eva, and Leona; and brothers, William, Thomas, Robert Everett, and Cecil. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wesley Mitchell; their daughter, Janice; grandson, Max and granddaughter, Andrea.
Surviving to mourn her passing include her brother, Danny Bell and wife Carolyn of Dunn, North Carolina; her daughter, Susan Romazon and husband Randy; her son, Randy and his wife Jody; grandchildren, Corey Romazon, Bethany Taylor, Brock Mitchell, and Zach Deitrickson; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Gage, Bella and Sadie; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Christian Church, Kearney, Missouri, 2151 S Jefferson St., Kearney, Missouri 64060. Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First Christian Church, Kearney, Missouri 64060. Livestream will be available on YouTube: https://go.mitchell.video/Marylou or on Facebook: FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH KEARNEY MISSOURI. Interment at Salem Cemetery, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
