Mildred Moore Mitchell Robertson Bennett

Mildred Fern Moore Mitchell Robertson Bennett, 98 years old, most recently of Lake George Assisted Living in Columbia, Missouri passed away on April 18, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, after a long life with no major illnesses. Until the end, she had the enduring giggle of a schoolgirl and a million-dollar smile. Through her many adventures, she touched countless lives.

Mildred was born on August 23, 1925, to Maurice Carlien Moore and Ida Mae Orton Moore in Ash, MO. She was the sixth of seven children born to their union. She was very close to her siblings Ralph, Beatrice, Wilson, Clara, Maurice & Curtis, whom all preceded her in death. She grew up on a large farm and the entire family worked hard. She was not your typical farm girl as not only did she tend to traditional homemaking skills, she also did outdoor work more traditionally handled by men. She told many stories of working in the watermelon fields and feeding the livestock. She shared a bed with her sisters until they left home to get married. And as the two youngest in the family, she and Curt were particularly close his entire life. 

Mildred was anxious to leave farm-life and although she wasn’t permitted to marry her first love, a young farmhand she first loved, she soon was married to Herman Noble Mitchell in 1945. Their union was blessed by the arrival of their four beloved children, Thomas Herman, Anna Mae, Maurice Lee & Janey Sue. 

Life with Herman came with its own challenges, and they separated in 1960. In 1965 Mildred obtained her GED as she only had an 8th grade education, she loved school and learning.  In 1966, Mildred graduated from the Columbia Public Schools Nursing Program as an LPN and was the valedictorian of her class. She took great pride in providing personal nursing services to many clients in her LPN career and nursing allowed her the financial freedom to raise her four children as a single mother. Her nursing career led to long periods of her children relying on each other to take care of the home. As a result, she raised four very strong adults with a commitment to hard work and family. 

In 1973, she married Wilson "Murel" Robertson, the love of her life. During their 23 years together, they lived in his family home, tended their large garden and took pleasure in canning the many fruits and vegetables of their labors. They shared a love of music and travel and spent many a summer traveling in their truck camper to bluegrass festivals and visiting family and friends across the USA. They had many celebrations with their family over the years including countless family reunions and monthly birthday celebrations with homemade ice cream, birthday cakes and more freshly cut watermelon than you can hardly imagine. They lived a simple and love-filled life until his passing in May 1996.

 For a while, the sparkle in her eye faded and the giggle ceased; yet she was ultimately blessed with additional loving relationships and bloomed into her joyous self again.

 Mildred was an intelligent woman who was razor sharp at crossword puzzles, card games, jigsaw puzzles and Rummikub. She was a reader and frequently tuned in to the local Dial-a-Trade radio programs looking for her next deal. She was a refuge for her children and grandchildren during emotional times and times of sickness. Her creativity knew no bounds as she decorated with wild abandon for the holidays. The decorations were so plentiful you literally had to duck your head to avoid walking into them. She was creative when it came to Christmas gifts, never missing an opportunity to recycle a box from an intimate garment purchase into an awkward moment for an unsuspecting gift recipient, often her grandchildren.

She was a social being and loved having visitors, even surprise drop-in visitors. She enjoyed socializing at the Senior Center and attending dances. Mildred always liked a good deal and was a savvy negotiator when hosting and attending garage sales. She was a great seamstress and made many clothing items for herself, her children and her grandchildren. She took great pleasure in making plastic canvas creations and painting ceramics. And oh, how she loved the color turquoise. 

If you knew Mildred, you know of her famous green thumb. Her plant-nursing skills were beyond compare as she rescued many plants from death or near-death. She was always proud of the care and attention she made to her plants and flowers and would often give lengthy garden tours when family and friends came to visit. 

Her years of nursing care came full-circle when in later years Mildred found herself in need of care and assistance. Her children lovingly took care of her in her home until she made the transition to Assisted Living. Family and friends continued to visit her as her body became more fragile and her mind less agile. Yet she continued to wow us with her infectious smile and sparkle in her eye. We will miss sharing a story with her over her favorite drink of hot tea with milk and sugar. 

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her oldest son, Thomas Mitchell,  Wilson "Murel" Robertson, Howard Bennett, special friends Willis Jacobs and Mac Brushwood.

Mildred is survived by her children Anna (Jon) Johnson of Hallsville, MO; Maurice (Jamie Sue) Mitchell of Hallsville, MO; Janey (Phil) Graves of Columbia, MO; daughter in law Melody (McGee) Mitchell of Columbia, MO; Mary Ann Robertson (Seymour) Fox of St. Louis, MO, Paul Robertson; her grandchildren Thomas (Kristina) Mitchell of Columbia, MO; Melissa (Noah) Summers of Smithville, MO; Catrina (Justin) Gilstrap of Joplin, MO; Jennifer Gallup-Shearin-Thomas of Jefferson City, MO, Jason McKee of St. Louis, MO. Additionally she is survived by nine great-grand children; Claire (Pierce) Jolly of Arkansas; Natalie Mitchell of Springfield, MO; Ethan Mitchell of Columbia, MO; Katherine and Jackson Gilstrap of Joplin, MO; Luke and Logan Summers of Smithville, MO; LaE’abha Linh and Pax Shearin of Jefferson City, MO. and one beautiful great-great granddaughter, Melody Wren Jolly of Arkansas. Additionally, she is survived by one sister-in-law, Lucille Moore of Higbee, MO,  and many nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Mildred Moore Mitchell Robertson Bennett Scholarship Fund and will be awarded to a single mother in the Practical Nursing program at MACC in the fall of 2024.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel, followed by Funeral services honoring and celebrating Mildred's life.  Committal prayer and burial took place in the Higbee City Cemetery, Higbee, MO.