Obituary lovingly written by the family.
Mary Bell Wise, 97, passed away on October 29, 2026, after a long, memorable and impactful life.
Born Genevieve Bruce on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1928, she was adopted at two weeks old by her loving parents, Joe and Emma Gloyd, who named her Mary Bell. She grew up in Dayton, Missouri, where she attended Choctaw Country School, a one-room schoolhouse, before graduating from Garden City High School.
On June 14, 1946, Mary married Donald Lee Wise. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, and love. They made their home on the family farm in Dayton where they raised their four children and created countless memories. In 1972, they moved to Osage Beach, Missouri, and later returned to Garden City, where they lived in the senior housing community. Mary and Donald were able to celebrate their 40th, 50th, and 60th wedding anniversaries surrounded by family and friends.
Throughout her life, Mary was no stranger to hard work. In addition to raising her children and helping on the family farm, she worked at Western Electric, several garment factories, and Allee Enterprises. Wherever Mary went, friendships followed. Many of the people she met through her work became lifelong friends.
Having been adopted as an infant, Mary always wondered if she had biological siblings. At the age of 90, she finally had the joy of meeting her sister, Joyce Wagner, and her nieces, Laura and Linda, who traveled from Oregon to celebrate her 90th birthday. Mary also had the opportunity to meet her brother, Larry Ashley, and learned of three other siblings, Joann, Darrel, and Janet, who passed away before they could meet.
In 2022, Mary moved to Foxwood Springs Senior Living in Raymore, Missouri, where she formed a particularly special friendship with her roommate, Helen. The two shared a wonderful bond and truly loved one another.
Mary was a woman of faith who loved and believed in Jesus Christ. Before moving to Foxwood Springs, she attended New Covenant Fellowship Church in Garden City, Missouri. Her favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Mary was preceded in death by her loving parents, Joe and Emma Gloyd; her beloved husband, Donald Lee Wise; her son, Johnny Joe Wise; her grandson, Richie McMechan; and her siblings Joyce, Joann, Larry, Darrel, and Janet.
Mary is survived by her children, Connie Conner of Adrian, Missouri; Dewayne Wise (Karen) of Urich, Missouri; and Lea Ann Powell (Leary) of Camdenton, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.
Mary’s life was a testament to the beauty of kindness, the importance of family, and the strength of faith. Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that her earthly journey is complete and she is now at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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