Cheryl Maupin Bell led a simple life. She was born, she lived, she cared, she loved, she found Jesus Christ, she was forgiven, and she died.

Born in Mexico, Missouri, to Harris and Carlene (Woodson) Maupin on January 4, 1947, Cheryl began her life as a Mexicoan, living her entire life in her beloved "Small Town U.S.A.". She attended grade school at Eugene Field Elementary School, Hardin Junior High School, and Mexico Senior High School, graduating in 1965. She often said, "I grew up in the perfect place and the perfect time." Life was slow and easy in the 50s and 60s – hanging on the fence watching Art Simmons working his horses; sledding on Yale Street; proudly marching with the Mexico Dixie Grays in the Soy Bean Festival parade. Life was good, wholesome, and secure. We respected our parents, our teachers, and went to church on Sunday.

After high school, Cheryl became the first left-handed long-distant telephone operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and later worked at A.P. Green Fire Brick Company in the shipping department. During her working years, she began to follow her dream of becoming a teacher taking night classes at Moberly Junior College. She became a full-time student attending classes three days a week and working at various jobs the other three days. She graduated from Moberly Junior College with an AA degree and continued her education at the University of Missouri while continuing to work. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University in 1980 with a Bachelors of Science degree in English Education and a minor in general science. Cheryl continued her education during the summer months at Truman University and the University of Missouri and received her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1993.

Cheryl loved teaching the very first time she walked into her classroom in 1981 at Montgomery County R-II in Montgomery City, Missouri, where she taught high school English/literature/composition and speech and drama. She directed plays and musicals and knew this was a fulfilling a long-awaited dream. In 1985, a job became available at Mexico Junior High School in language arts and she became a Bulldog for the next 20 years. Teaching was such a thrill for her. She took extra time tutoring students after school and found creative methods in which to teach "her kids". Being selected by the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce as "Teacher of the Year" in 1999 was a highlight for her, but seeing her students succeed later in life was truly her heart. She remained friends with many of her students through the years.

After retiring in 2005, Cheryl participated in teaching and directing the Audrain County Historical Society Children's History Camp for the next nine years. At History Camp she created exciting and living history lessons where the kids learned by doing. She was presented with the Audrain County Historical Society President's Award in 2010 for her efforts.

Teaching was an innate sense for Cheryl. Later in life, she achieved accreditation at the McGowan Rug Hooking School in Texas and began teaching traditional rug hooking in her home. She and her students formed the Salt River Rug Hooking group. She has directed several rug hooking camps in Mexico and enjoyed every minute of each camp. She made many, many friends at rug hooking activities and declared that "those hookers are God's people – good, kind, and the very best!"

Cheryl loved deeply and her first love was her daughter Sundy (Smiley) Fuemmeler who was the light of her life. "We raised each other, and she is everything I wanted to be," she would say. Sundy attended several college field trips and played basketball with the Moberly basketball guys while her mom was taking a test or two. "We lived on a shoestring, but we knew how to live," Cheryl has said many times.

Cheryl married David Bell on February 29, 1980. They were a team and she often said in later years that they could achieve just about anything together. Even in much later years, she would say, "Put David and me together and we make about three-quarters of a person, but we can do most any task we need to do."

At age 69, Cheryl fell in love with Jesus Christ and joined The Catholic Church and never looked back. She had known for many years that God was nudging her and she finally answered that call in 2016. She grew in Jesus Christ at St. Brendan parish and much to her surprise so did her husband – joining The Church one year later at age 86. As David said, "I wanted to find out what brought you so much joy."

Cheryl is survived by her daughter Sundy and son-in-law Vince Fuemmeler of Mexico, MO, who gave her two fantastic grandsons: Jake (Lexi) Fuemmeler of St. Louis, MO, and Brock (Whitney) Fuemmeler of Mexico, MO. Her boys were always her heart and they also added two wonderful girls to that heart.

Also surviving are special Bell children and grandchildren: Julie (Les) Key of Mexico; Jerry (Debbie) Bell of Overland Park, KS; Joni (John) Troyer of Columbia; and Jay (Paula Wayne) Bell of Bradenton, FL. Grandchildren: Nicole (Dhrv) of Mumbai; Amanda Bell of Kansas City; Jack Bell of Michigan; Holly (Matthew) Caldwell of Dallas, Texas; Luke Troyer of Columbia; and Lesli Key of Colorado.

Cheryl is also survived by one wonderful brother Harris L. Maupin of Hillsboro, MO, and three awesome nieces, Britt (John) Henningsen of St. Louis; Anna (Bobby) Wideman of DeSoto, MO; and Mara Maupin of Hillsboro.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, beloved cousin Deetrice Maupin Shaull, and sister-in-law Allyson Maupin. Many of her faithful dogs and cats have also crossed the Rainbow Bridge prior to her death.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, at St. Brendan Catholic Church with Fr. David Veit officiating. Entombment will follow at the East Lawn Memorial Park Columbariums.

Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, September 30, at Arnold Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Brendan Catholic Church in Mexico, MO, or the Audrain Humane Society in Mexico, MO. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.