Mary Ellen Newbound

Mary Ellen Newbound, age 79, of Belle passed away on January 30, 2026 at St. Mary’s SSM Health in Jefferson City.

Mary was born January 24, 1947 in Summerfield, a daughter to the late Joseph Carrell and Barbara Ellen (Terwilliger) Duke.

She was a 1964 graduate of Belle High School and a long-time member of the Belle First Baptist Church. Mary was very active in her church, teaching Sunday school for many years, running and directing the local church camp and directing the W.M.U. as well as taking care of the many luncheons through the years. She will be missed greatly by her church family.

On August 20, 1966 she united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Newbound. He preceded her in death on August 10, 2002. From this union four children were born, Lori, Joe, Ron and Lisa.

Mary was an Avon representative for over 42 years and homemaker although she did attend college in Warrensburg to be a home economics teacher. That plan fell through unfortunately, and she returned home to cook for her family and community. Mary was an excellent cook and if you left her house hungry it was your own fault. She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing and doing embroidery, and loved her diet Coke. Mary babysat many children through the years which she loved and she had a heart of gold. She will be missed greatly by her family, church family and her community.

Mary is survived by: three children, Lori Harris and her husband Matthew of Mineola, Joe Newbound and his wife Taffi of Belle, and Lisa Hedge of Belle; daughter-in-law, Lori Newbound of Owensville; eight grandchildren, Evan Newbound, Emma Newbound, Cody Harris, Marissa Rolls, Sadie Hedge, Levi Hedge, Madison Newbound and Mason Newbound; one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Rolls; and three siblings, Carolyn Holt of Rolla, William Duke and his wife Sandy of Belle, and Pat Jones of Belle as well as many extended family members and friends

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by one son, Ron Newbound and a brother-in-law Sam Jones.

Visitation for Mary will be on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Belle from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Belle First Baptist Church beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Campbell Cemetery.