Elvonda Beal

ARAB, Mo. -- Elvonda Harrell Beal, 87, of Arab passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, on the family farm at Arab.

Elvonda was born April 7, 1931, in Brownwood, Missouri, daughter of Jesse Campbell "J.C." and Cora May Allen Harrell. Elvonda and James "Jimmie" Smith Beal Sr. were united in marriage April 15, 1949, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death Oct. 12, 1999.

Elvonda and Jimmie were farmers all their lives. She worked side by side with him in the tree farm business of logging and sawmilling, raising livestock and row crops. She was the bookkeeper for the family businesses, Ozark Foothills Inc. and Beal Tree Farm Inc. In her early years, she worked part-time for the U.S. Postal Service in Brownwood and in Arab. However, her most rewarding jobs were wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

One of her greatest gifts was the art of cooking. She provided Sunday dinner for family and friends her entire life. Lunch was always served promptly at noon, prepared in large pots and served with large spoons. She never ran out of food. Mother enjoyed shopping with her daughters and taking them out for lunch. Always thinking of an occasion to have a family gathering.

She attended Brownwood General Baptist Church most of her life, raising her eight children there, recently attending Advance First Church in Advance, Missouri.

Survivors include eight children, Gary Lynn (Brenda) Beal of Arab, Cora Gail (Ray) McLain of Advance, Marsha Kay Ward of Advance, Brenda Faye (David) Garner of Brownwood, Linda Lou (Gary) Nelson of Advance, Vicki Ann (Bruce) Wheetley of Peoria, Illinois, James Smith (Pam) Beal Jr. of Zalma, Missouri, and Jesse Howard (Jonna) Beal of Advance; nine grandchildren, Meridith Wheetley of Key West, Florida, Josh (Pam) Glasener of Duck Creek, Missouri, Willie (Sarah) Nelson of Advance, Megan (Cole) Wallace of Zalma, Becca (Cory) Townsend of Fisk, Missouri, Jonathan Beal of Advance, Jessica (Michael) Bowling of Cape Girardeau, Jennifer (Hudson Powers) Beal of Point Lookout, Missouri, and Gracci Ward of Advance; and five great-grandchildren, Luke and Landree Nelson, Callie Rose Wallace and Elisha and Faith Townsend. She is also survived by her brother, Jesse "Ted" Cortez of Kansas City, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Shirley Lathum Harrell; two first cousins, Joy Stevens Williams of Belleville, Illinois, and June Allen Vickers of Cookeville, Tennessee; and three special nieces she helped raise, Velma Harrell Wachter of Bonne Terre, Missouri, June Harrell Simmons of Scott City and Rosetta Harrell Kinder of Scott City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four siblings, Bertie Lou Cameron, Eleen Harrell, Ollie Vance Harrell and Lydia Mae Mitchell; and six half siblings, Elijah Harrell, Ezra "Tuck" Lovell Harrell, George "G.C." Campbell Harrell, Neota Harrell, Lievethe Harrell and Watis Raymond Harrell.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Beatty Cemetery at Arab.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to either Beatty Cemetery, 3812 Highway 51, Zalma, MO 63787 or Brownwood Cemetery, 17472 Route C, Advance, MO 63730.