Mary Celestial (Anderson) Belton 1918-2007

Mary Celestial Belton, one of twelve children born to the union of the late Orville and LaVada Anderson of Hanna, Missouri in Pulaski County.

Mary departed this life the evening of June 3, 2007 at Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla, Missouri, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 26 days.

Mary grew up in the Fairview/Hanna community and attended the Bloodland School.

On July 25, 1935, Mary was united in marriage with Clyde Monroe Belton, and to this union four children were born, Robert, Margaret, Barbara and Janet. Rev. Clyde Belton preceded Mary in death on January 31, 1987.

While living in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Mary worked at Ideal Manufacturing. She also worked in shoe and garment factories. When the family moved back to Missouri, she took a position at Stephens College in Columbia as a Seamstress and Assistant Costumer where she made costumes for productions in the Theater Department. While working there, she met George C. Scott, Betty White and Annie Potts who starred in plays at the Stephen's College. She retired from Stephens in 1974. The family moved to Crocker where she and her husband, Clyde, owned Belton's Furniture store. In 1984, they moved to Richland. She went to work at MOCCA where she served as a Librarian's Assistant in the Richland School System where she was fondly known as the "Library Lady". She retired from MOCCA at the age of 79.

Mary was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Buckhorn and for the past two years has become part of the Ft. Wood Church of God family with her son, Bob and daughter-in-law, Betty. Along with her sewing, she enjoyed growing flowers, reading and listening to Gospel music, especially the Gaither's. Mary's most important interest was her family.

Mary will be greatly missed by four children: Robert Belton and wife, Betty of St. Robert, MO, Margaret Malloy and husband, John of Hot Springs Village, AR, Barbara Burns and husband Don and Janet Charlton and husband Paul all of Las Vegas, NV; one brother: Nelson Anderson of Lebanon, MO; one sister: Ruth Goodrich of Waynesville, MO; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parent and her husband, Mary was also preceded in death by a grandson: David Burns, and seven siblings: two sisters, Leta Quesenberry and Opal Anderson; and five brothers, Leslie, Harry, Kermit, Glen, and Roscoe Anderson.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 7, 2007 in the Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert with Rev. William Kempen officiating. Mary's granddaughter, Wendy O'Brennan sang "My Life Is In Your Hands" and Mary's daughter, Barbara Burns sang a medley of songs that included "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "My Task". Grandson Doug Shipman read a beautiful letter from his sister, Jill to their grandmother. Serving as escorts were Steve Belton, Gerry O'Brennan, Richard Malloy, Bobby Belton, Tim Bohannon and Douglas Shipman.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Belton to the American Diabetes Association or to the Ft. Wood Church of God and may be left at Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

8 December, 1918 - 3 June, 2007