Mildred O. (Simmons) Belcher

Mildred Oma (Simmons) Belcher, 94, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at her home in El Dorado Springs. Mildred was born on April 29, 1927, as the second child of Lawrence (Hobe) Hobart and Mary Christopher (Bearce) Simmons in Cedar County. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1945. She received her teaching certificate (later in life she received an honorary degree from SMS) and taught at West Union School until she married. After her children were grown she worked at Dunbrooke in El Dorado Springs for several years as a seamstress. She was joined in marriage to Earl Reeves on April 12, 1947. They were together until his passing in February of 1954. On March 3, 1956 she married Earl (Jack) Belcher. He preceded her in death in July of 2001.

Mildred was saved on Oct. 28, 1946, and was baptized into West Union Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member for the rest of her life. At West Union she was the Church Secretary and Treasurer for 60 years. She was also a Sunday school teacher for 20 years.

Mildred was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Treasurer for 18 years. She also worked many years helping with elections and encouraged everyone to vote.

Mildred liked to keep busy. She enjoyed making quilts, reading anything she could get her hands on, cooking and children. She enjoyed having a house full of children in the summers when they were out of school and after church on Sundays. The most important things in her life were God and her family. She said “Put God first and good things will follow.”

Survivors include her children, Carl (Tammy) Reeves – El Dorado Springs, Linda Cain of Branson, Glenda Poag – El Dorado Springs, Betty (Roger) Meeks – Stockton and Bonny (David) Highley – Willard; siblings, Mary Jane Gregory – Stockton, Lawrence Simmons – Arizona; and sister-in-law, Reta Simmons; grandchildren, Brian (Connie) Cain, Corey (Robin) Cain, Doug Cain, Sarah (Brad) McCoy, Patrick (Sierra) Meeks, Susie (Scott) McCollum, Michelle (Marc) Morin, Amanda Cain, Erin (Brian) Budd, Alvin (Becca) Meeks, Adam Reeves, Kristin (Alex) Albertson, Daniel Reeves, Jason (Kirstin) Highley, Addie Meeks, Ryan (Mollie) Meeks, Emily Meeks, Ethan (Breanna) Meeks, Bethany (Jake) Pyle and Amanda (Seth) Kathman; great-grandchildren, Tryston (Victoria), Traven, Morgan, Brianda, Bryan, Grayston, Sydnee, Aidan, Braden, Caleb, Kyle, Logan, April, Kane, Ariana, Taylor, Coltyn, Ali, Ava, Coree, Bailey, Tyton, Brock, Quinn, Oliver, Cody, Copper, Lakyn, Elijah, Daphne, Lincoln and Rosemary; great-great-grandchildren, Anastasia and Ross.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, John, Hazel (infant), Joe, Ulen, Olen and Wes; grandchildren, Daisy Reeves, Gage McCollum and Primrose Meeks as well as the other babies who have gone on ahead of her.

Services for Mildred Belcher were held Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the West Union Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in Lebeck Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.