Wilma Mizell

Wilma L. Mizell, 93, a former resident of the Simpson community, died at 2:55 P.M. Saturday afternoon, August 13, 2011, at the Pope County Care Center in Golconda, Illinois. Wilma was born in Johnson County Illinois on October 28, 1917 to Willie and Sarah Mae (Robinson) Palmer. She married James Wayne Mizell on June 5, 1937 and they celebrated over 62 years together before Wayne passed away on April 22, 2000 at the age of 84 years. Wilma was a homemaker and devoted wife, mother and a true Christian member of the Glendale United Methodist Church and a charter member of the Mary Circle Women’s Group. Together, Wayne and Wilma enjoyed their family, friends, gardening and their church. She also had a green thumb for growing a variety of flowers and was an excellent seamstress.. Wilma delighted in preparing meals for any guest announced or unannounced and received recognition in the Southern Illinoisan newspaper for winning a contest for the best recipe. Her children and grandchildren preferred her cookies; chocolate chip, snicker doodles, and molasses cookies along with her fried chicken, white gravy, chocolate cake and vinegar dumplings. Wilma worked outside the home for a short period of time as cook for Robbs Elementary School. Her most enjoyable job, however, was caring for her grandkids where she taught love, compassion, how she cooked and Christian values. Wilma was a “worrier” always cautioning others to be careful and to call when they reached their destination. She very much enjoyed serving as a Methodist Youth Fellowship sponsor many years for the youth of the church. Wilma also enjoyed playing the piano and at the age of 93 was still playing as many as twenty gospel songs at a setting without sheet music for those gathered around her at the Pope County Care Center. Surviving are two daughters and one son: Rajeane and son-in-law Victor Watson of Simpson, IL, Lanelle (Evitts) Cannon of Delwood, IL, and Larry and daughter-in-law Barbara Mizell of Simpson, IL, 7 Grandchildren – Chris and wife Lynelle Watson of Simpson, IL, Tim and wife Kerry Watson of Robinson, IL, Jeff and wife Laura Evitts of Glendale, IL, Pamela and husband David Bramlet of Delwood, IL, John and wife Cindy Cannon of Decatur, IL, Margo and husband Charlie Keene of Nashville, TN, and Megan Mizell of Morehead City, NC; 11 Great Grandchildren – Brett Watson, Brock Watson, Blake Curry, Rylee Watson, Bo Bramlet and wife Ashley, Shea Bramlet, Isabelle Cannon, Kennedy Cannon, Shelly (Evitts) Schiff and husband Josh, Sarah Evitts, and Maggie Keene; 2 Great-Great Grandchildren – Eli Schiff and Lexi Schiff; and 2 Step Great-Great Grandchildren – Lakoda and Aubrey. In addition to her parents and husband, Wilma was preceded in death by: a brother, George Palmer, a sister, Mildred Mizell, and 2 sons-in-law – Donald Evitts and Ed Cannon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, August 17, 2011, at 11 AM at the Glendale United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 PM – 8 PM Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna and from 10 AM – 11 AM Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Glendale United Methodist Church, c/o Charlotte Benard, R.R. 1 Box 192, Simpson, IL. 62985.

Wilma Mizell

October 28, 1917 - August 13, 2011