Martha Lou Powell Mitchell, 93, passed away on August 21, 2018. On a cool November day in 1924, a beautiful, blue-eyed baby girl was born to Dr. George M. and Ruth Bray Powell. Martha Lou grew up in Springfield, MO, participating in a full social life, developing a love of the violin and classical music and being Kiltie at Central High School. She followed the medical tradition in her family, graduating from St. John's School of Nursing as Class President in 1946. On May 31, 1947, she married the love of her life, William Benson Mitchell, III at St. John's Episcopal Church in Springfield. With Bill's work for International Harvester, they moved several times around the country with their children, Glenn and Linda. Martha Lou said, "I must be part Gypsy, I love the moves." (What girl doesn't want a new house every 3-4 years?!) With each move she first found the church, the library, and then the school. Martha Lou was a proud member of the Altar Guild at each church she attended as well as her favorite philanthropic PEO group. Her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids will remember her as a happy and loving Grandmother who loved to entertain, cook, read books, and play games with them on the floor. She loved being a nurse and working in surgery. (Yes, her kitchen drawers were set up like a surgical Mayo tray so she could reach for a utensil without looking). We will remember "Grandmother's famous eggs and oatmeal" and "Chicken and noodles."

Martha Lou was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Mitchell; her son, Glenn W. Mitchell; her brother, Dr. E.M. "Mac" Powell; and sister, Mary Ann Powell Earhart. Her best buddy Rudy was waiting on her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Those left to remember her with a smile are her daughter, Linda Mitchell Bland; grandchildren Amie Bland and Abie and Raymond (Moe) Colley. She cherished her great-grandchildren William, Madeline, and Emily Colley and Claire Arguelles-Bland. We are happy she was able to spend time with her first great-great grandchild, J.W. Colley. Martha Lou is also survived by her daughter-in-law Susan Krasnow-Mitchell, nephews and nieces Walter and Stephany Powell, Carey and Minami Powell, Stephen and Beatrice Earhart, and Robyn Powell.

Services for Martha Lou will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church with a visitation at 1:00 PM at the church before the service. Interment will be at Eastlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Martha Lou's wish for any donations be made to the Central High School Kilties, attn: Angie Brown, 423 East Central, Springfield, MO 65802.

We would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice (Melissa and Dustin), TruCare Living, and Dogwood Trails Assisted Living for the wonderful care Martha Lou received as this chapter of her life closed.