Mary Belle Smallwood's Obituary
Mary Belle Smallwood, age 89, of Westfield, Illinois passed away at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Harmony Center, Mattoon, IL. She was born May 21, 1933 in rural Jasper County, IL the daughter of Ray Tarr and Okal Fern Bixler Tarr. On March 11, 1951 she married Donald Lynn Smallwood in Wheeler, Illinois; he passed away on March 4, 2009.
Survivors include daughter, Bev Cruse of Charleston, IL and son, Andy; daughter, Wanda Otto and husband Richard of Charleston, IL and their children, Dusty and Kerri; son, Steve Smallwood and wife Mary of Westfield, IL and their children, Kris, Mary K. and Rob; daughter, Diane Highland and husband Mark of Mattoon, IL and their children, Graham and Mason; nine great grandchildren and brother, Wayne Tarr of Newton, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Doyal Gordon Tarr, Gerald Dean Tarr, Larry Ray Tarr, Dale Eugene Tarr, Cecil P. Tarr, David A. Tarr and Everet Edward Tarr; sisters, Elenor Rose Tarr, Donna Lee Wiggle Schackleford, Carol Jean Elmore and Edith Elaine Elmore.
Mary Belle attended Newton High School. She retired from Walmart Fabric Department and worked from home for many years sharing her talent as a seamstress. Mary enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning and was always willing to share with family, friends and neighbors. She enjoyed spending time on her porch and loved visiting with her neighbors.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023 at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Westfield, IL. Visitation will be held from 10 - 11 a.m. prior to the service on Monday at Markwell Funeral Home in Casey, IL.
Memorial donations may be made to the Westfield Improvement League, P.O. Box 185, Westfield, IL 62474.
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey and Westfield, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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