Mary Elizabeth Stockstill

Mary Elizabeth Stockstill joined her Lord Jesus on Wednesday, November 2, 2011. Born on August 7, 1919 at the family home in Avalon, Missouri, southeast of Chillicothe, Mary grew up in a close knit farming family with three brothers and three sisters. Growing up as a farmer's daughter, she had a wonderful childhood, attended school in a one-room building, and graduated high school in Avalon. Mary attended North Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, received her teaching degree at age 22, and began her life career of teaching children with her first teaching experience in a one room school close to her childhood home. She met her husband, Ercel (Buzz) Stockstill through a USO experience, fell in love and soon married, following Buzz around the world as part of his Air Force career. After World War II, they lived in Japan, adopted two orphans, James Eugene (who died in October 2005) and Thomas Wayne, of Indiana. The family later relocated to Texas County, Missouri after Buzz retired in 1959. Mary began teaching kindergarten shortly after the family arrived west of Houston on the Little Piney River. She retired in the mid-1980s after her long teaching career that included receiving her master's degree from then Southwest Missouri State University. Mary and Buzz then retired to St. Roberts. After Buzz died in 1986, she moved to be closer to her younger brother, Charles, and family at Ozark. She continued to live in Christian County, where she was able to spend the remaining years of her life around those family members whom she held so dear. Mary was preceded in death by her life long love and faithful husband Ercel (Buzz), her son James Eugene (Marge), her parents Ananias Waters (Nide) and Fannie Belle Powell, brothers Clarence (Louise) Powell, Charles (Mary) Powell. Also preceding her in death were sisters Lois (Howard) Reese, and Margaret (Clifford) Gates. Surviving are her youngest son Thomas (Carol) Stockstill, two grandchildren, Thomas James (TJ) Stockstill (great-grandson AJ), Tasia Marie Stockstill, and James"� wife Marge Stockstill, Mary"�s brother Wayne (De) Powell of Littleton Colo. and sister Frances (Normal) Calvert of Rockford, Il. Mary is also survived by her loving and caring nephew Charles (Bud) and Connie Powell, who dedicated many years of care and companionship in the latter years of her life. There will be no service and Mary will be laid to rest with the love of her life, Buzz in the National (Veterans) Cemetery in Springfield. Donations in Mary"�s memory can be made to the charity of your choice.