Services held for Mary Lovell, CJ cafeteria cook, killed in tornado

(The following obituary is taken from the Mason-Woodard Mortuary website.)

Mary Lois Lovell, age 65 of Joplin, Mo. passed away Sunday May 22, 2011 in the tornado that devastated the city of Joplin.


Mary was born on September 30, 1945 in Joplin the daughter of the late Emmett and Alice (Cook) O’Connell. She worked for the Carl Junction School District as a cafeteria cook for many years before retiring.

Mary married Burton Lovell on May 4, 1963 in Joplin, he survives. Additional survivors include two sons, Rick Lovell and his wife Joanna of Carthage, Mo., Emmett Lovell of Carl Junction, Mo., one daughter, Michelle Lovell of Carl Junction, two brothers, George Himes and his wife Dollie of Joplin, Charles Himes of Springfield, Mo., four sisters, Faye Hance of Michigan City, In., Helen Rigs and her husband Bob of Webb City, Mo., Janie Wood and her husband Jay of Webb City and Twyla Murphy of Joplin, three grandchildren, Amanda, Josh and Rebecca, and one great-grandchild expected in June or July. She was preceded in death by her parents, two twin brothers, Emmett Lee and Jackie Lee O’Connell and two sisters, Dolly Bigbee and Joyce Vance.

Graveside services have been schedule for Thursday June 2, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Park in Joplin, with an open visitation at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Chapel.