Mary Ellen Newbound, 79, Belle passed away on Jan. 30, 2026, at St. Mary’s SSM Health in Jefferson City.
She was born Jan. 24, 1947, to the late Joseph Carrell and Barbara Ellen (Terwilliger) Duke in Summerfield.
She was a 1964 graduate of Belle High School.
Mary was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Newbound, Aug. 20, 1966. From this union four children were born, Lori, Joe, Ron and Lisa.
She was a long-time, active member of the Belle First Baptist 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.
Mary was an Avon representative for over 42 years and a 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. She was an excellent cook and if you left her house hungry it was your own fault.
Mary enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing and doing embroidery, and she loved her diet Coke. She also babysat many children through the years which she loved. Mary had a heart of gold and will be missed greatly by her family, church family and her community.
She was preceded in death by husband, Robert; parents, Joseph and Barbara; son, Ron Newbound; and brother-in-law, Sam Jones.
Mary is survived by children, Lori Harris and husband Matthew of Mineola, Joe Newbound and wife Taffi of Belle and Lisa Hedge of Belle; daughter-in-law, Lori Newbound of Owensville; grandchildren, Evan and Emma Newbound, Cody Harris, Marissa Rolls, Sadie and Levi Hedge and Madison and Mason Newbound; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Rolls; siblings, Carolyn Holt of Rolla, William Duke and his wife Sandy and Pat Jones, all of Belle; as well as many extended family members and friends
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, at the First Baptist Church in Belle.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Belle First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Campbell Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Belle First Baptist Church or to the Campbell Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle.
