Mary Lou (McCoy) Sickels, daughter of the late Harlan and Leitha McCoy, was born February 14, 1942, at her grandparents’ farm in Knoxville, Iowa, and departed this life peacefully on May 25, 2025, at her home in Hartville, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, three months, and eleven days.
As a child, Mary Lou lived near Melcher and Dallas, Iowa, where she attended school. Her family then moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she went to several schools, ultimately graduating from Savdell High School in 1960. Following graduation, she began to work at a drive-in movie theater.
During the fall of 1963, she met Arthur Sickels at a gas station and they married on March 19, 1964. Their journey began in Des Moines, Iowa, where they lived for a year before moving to Corning, Iowa, in 1965 to assist Arthur’s father on the family farm. It was during this time that she welcomed their first daughter, Deirdra. The family lived briefly in northern Missouri before settling in Norwood, Missouri. While there, they celebrated the arrival of their second daughter, Devonna. In 1977 they moved to Mansfield, Missouri, where they would spend the majority of their life and would welcome three more daughters, Areatha, Deneane, and Dannette. Together as a family they built a truly remarkable farm with a variety of poultry, livestock, and elaborate gardens. During this time, Mary Lou dedicated herself to her family, choosing not to work outside the home to focus on raising her children and managing the farm. Once all the children became of school age, she took on the role of a dietary aid at Rocky Ridge Manor in 1989, where she served for seventeen and a half years, exceeding her initial plans to work only a couple of years.
Following her husband Arthur’s retirement, Mary Lou and Arthur moved to Hartville, Missouri, in the fall of 2002 to join their daughter Areatha and her husband Mike on their farm. During that time, Mary Lou and Arthur shared their passion for gardening and enjoyed watching their plants and grandchildren grow.
After Arthur’s passing in 2006 and her retirement in 2007, she embraced her retirement years and engaged in hobbies such as sewing and completing jigsaw puzzles. Her love of travel took her to several states, often accompanied by her daughters as they participated in livestock shows, vacations, and adventures along the historic Route 66. Mary Lou was a faithful believer in God and was a member of the Shady Chapel Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan and Leitha McCoy, her husband, Arthur, and two sons-in-law, Tim Carnall and Shane Reid.
Mary Lou is survived by her five daughters, Deirdra Carnall and significant other, Jerry, of Cabool, Missouri, Devonna Francis and husband, Chris, of Stoutland, Missouri, Areatha Mahan and husband, Mike, of Hartville, Missouri, Deneane Smith and husband, Shane, of Mansfield, Missouri, and Dannette Oliver and husband, Cameron, of Lincoln, Arkansas, one sister, Hope Ward, one brother, William McCoy, as well as seventeen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren with one on the way, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would often tell anyone and everyone just how proud she was of them all. She and Arthur taught their family to work the land, put in a hard day’s work, responsibility and compassion. We celebrate her life and will always cherish the many memories made together.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family in care of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home or to the Wright County Children’s Home. Donations can be placed in the drop box outside of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home Mansfield or by Mail: 315 N. Main St. Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711.
