Mary Belle was born in Winston County on August 20, 1930, to Bell and Annie Bell Romedy Dempsey. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was always a devoted worker in her church. She treasured her church family and she enjoyed church fundraising competitions (where her team usually won) and serving luncheons. Mary Belle touched many lives over the years as she was a dedicated Sunday School teacher. She also loved working in her yard, baking cakes, and quilting. Outside the home, she enjoyed those she worked with at the “Pants Factory” for 22 years and at TRW for another 18 years. Most of all, she dearly loved her family and enjoyed cooking for them and spending time with them.
Mary Belle is survived by her daughter, Sandy Jo Pope and her husband, Kevin, of Philadelphia, Mississippi; son Don Sisson and wife, Carolyn, of Louisville; and her sister, Betty Ruth Sisson also of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “Granny”, “MeMaw”, or “MaMaw” to her 10 grandchildren: Angie (Bill) McGee; Jenny (John) Vowell; Casey Sisson; Jason Howard; Michael Howard; Clint Howard; Brandon Pope; Brandy Pope; Brett Pope; and Bailey Pope. She also loved her 13 great-grands: Zachary (April) Vowell; Jack (Kenna) Vowell; Mason McGee; Hayden McGee; Kirk (Chelsea) Sisson; Lily Sisson; Cody Howard; Lexie Howard; Kelly (Brandon) Fulton; Lakin Howard; Chelsea Howard; Justin Howard; and Jacob (Naomi) Howard; as well as her eight great-great-grandchildren: Paisley Vowell; Sierra Howard; Aubrey and Cooper Fulton; Korbin Howard; Grace Howard; D. J. Howard; and Cade Howard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Sisson; her daughter, Patty Howard; her parents and her three sisters, Prentice Massey; Evelyn Culver; and Myrtis Vowell; and six brothers, Oscar, Coonie, Norman, Grady, Jimmy, and J. W. Dempsey.
Serving as pallbearers are Cody Howard, Hayden McGee, Kirk Sisson, Jack Vowell, Zach Vowell, and Brandon Fulton. Memorial contributions honoring Mary Belle may be given to Whitehall United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Garvin Whitten, 10954 Highway 14 West, Louisville, MS 39339 or to Owen Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Susie Howard, 2162 Spay Road, McCool, MS 39108.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
