On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the age of 102, the sun set on the shining life of our brilliant, boisterous, and beloved family icon, while three sons are rising in exaltation and appreciation of their special, nurturing mother, MARY JO MIZELL.

Holding a family together like she did is unfortunately very rare in today’s world. Her valued roles included not only those of wife and mother – she adroitly handled the additional challenges of being a mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and greatgreat-grandmother! With no need for proverbial “eyes in the back of her head,” she always just seemed to know what her family members were up to before they did.

Unwilling to achieve less than the best, she zipped through high school in three years and was the valedictorian of her class. Then, of course, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ouachita Baptist University. She and Dr. Walter S. “Walt” Mizell were long-time members of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock, where they were married in 1942. A wonderfully strong marriage of 75 years followed. After Walt retired, he and Mary Jo enjoyed life together for an extended period of 33 years at Parkway Village in Little Rock.

Mary Jo is survived by her children, Joe Mizell (Dianne) of Little Rock. Ark., David Mizell (Barbara) of Austin, Texas, Philip Mizell (Mary Ann) of Little Rock. Ark.; grandchildren, Molly Steely, Mark Mizell (Robin), Levon Mizell, Amy Henn (Steve), Jon Mizell, Ben Mizell (Sarah), Katherine Crow (Trent), and Katie Corlin (Greg); great-grandchildren, Andrew Steely (Mikala), Madeline Jester (Dane), Elizabeth Hill (Gage), Jack Corlin, Madeline Corlin, Hannah Corlin, Deacon Henn, Alora Henn, Charlee Mizell, Micah Mizell, and Tucker Crow; and the great-great-grandchild is Beckett Steely of Andrew and Mikala.

A Celebration of Life will be 1 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Chenal Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Parkway Health Center and Baptist Health Hospice for their care and dedication.

To sign the online guest book, please visit, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal