WILMA JEAN MOORE MITCHELL

Wilma Jean Mitchell was born December 15, 1933, to Ralph Moore and Geneva Wallen Moore. She departed this life February 4, 2020, at 86 years of age.
At age 15, she and Donald married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Marjorie and Roy Cornell. This marriage began January 15, 1949, and spanned 70 years setting an example of love, commitment, and determination for all of the generations that follow. Their lifelong home was the homestead of Donald’s great, great grandfather. She welcomed the extended families of ten generations and always was ready to put a meal on the table for whoever was present. Wilma, our beloved Grandma Sweetie, delighted in being with her family and spending time with friends. For twenty-seven years Grandma Sweetie saw to it that those folks took a week long camping trip known as the Mitchell Family Float, usually held on the Niangua River. She would say “You don’t have to be a Mitchell, and you don’t have to float, I hope you can come. (It was okay if you couldn’t come this year, but we’ll miss you).”
Wilma attended Sunday school as a child at Aldrich United Methodist Church and served the church faithfully throughout her life. She served as membership chair, treasurer, UMW president and many other offices of the church. She made it her mission to see that the church served others through countless church dinners, mission projects, Sunday school teaching, and funeral dinners. She was always good for a pecan pie, a gooseberry cobbler and a huge dish of candied sweet potatoes. She loved gardening, growing fruits, vegetables and flowers.
She served her community on the Morrisville Lions Club, Polk County Extension, the Polk County Republican Committee, and the elections at the Wishart precinct. She enjoyed being with youth, leading 4-H groups and attending school sports events.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Donald. Their five children survive: Jeanne (Rick) Thompson, Carthage; Donald Wayne (Pam McGill) Mitchell, Aldrich; Linda (David) Punch, Joplin; Steven (Donna) Mitchell, Bolivar; Kathy Shipley, Willard. She is survived by 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren. Additional survivors are a sister Marjorie Cornell, Bolivar; a brother Billy Moore (Joyce) Bolivar; two aunts: Doris Swabby, Neosho, and Lois Allred, Stockton; a sister –in-law Cleora Rowan, Lee’s Summit. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Pitts Chapel. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 9, 2020, at the Aldrich United Methodist Church Aldrich, MO. Burial will follow at the Mitchell Campground Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions by be made to either the Aldrich United Methodist Church, or the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.