Grace was born on January 9, 1924, in Climax Springs, Missouri to Obra William Roark and Florence Raymer Roark. She was a 1941 graduate of Climax Springs High School. She was married to Robert Harper Mowell on June 7, 1947, in Kansas City, Kansas. Grace worked at Nelly Don, Inc. during WWII and before marrying and returning to the Climax Springs area as a housewife. In 1958 she and Harper relocated to Kansas City where she again worked for Nelly Don as a collar setter and a model until retiring in 1980. Grace’s favorite pastime was quilting. She hand pieced and hand quilted over 75 quilts. She loved gardening, square dancing and traveling with Harper.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Lee Black (Roland) of North Kansas City, MO; Mary Grace Riegel of Excelsior Springs, MO; two granddaughters, Shelley Richards (Todd) and Kimberly Black; two great-grandchildren, Tyler Richards and Morgan Richards; sister-in-law, Bernice Raymer (Harold) and many beloved nieces and nephews. There are others Grace loved and who were honored to call her Grandma: Kenny Riegel and wife Abby, Beverly Riegel Springer, James Ray Riegel, Jamie Riegel Parsons, Alex Springer, Kaycie Springer, Malissa Riehl, Joanna Grote (Mark), Debi Bennett (Shawn), Darcy BeDell (Alex), Payton Bennet, Tristan Bennett, Taylor Black BeDell.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Harper, her parents, five brothers, one sister and son-in-law, Gary Riegel.
Grace Mowell was a wife, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt who loved her family dearly. She enjoyed every minute spent with them. Grace was always there for them in times of disappointment and in times of joy. She could be counted on to have the cookie jar full and a sit-down at the dining room table or a walk in the flower garden to talk about whatever was important to her family. We will have her in our hearts forever.
