Lesa M. Mizell of Cuba, Missouri was born on September 9, 1965 in Rolla, to the union of E. Jean and Miriam (Cook) McCarter. She left this life Wednesday, June 14, 2023, after a long courageous battle with breast cancer at the age of 57.
Lesa was united in marriage to C. Don Mizell on April 29, 2005. Together they would blend their daughters, Kayla, Amanda and Jaime, into a family of five.
Lesa was a graduate of Salem High School Class of 1983. She started her career in funeral service during high school at James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. She would then move to Louisville, Kentucky and attend mortuary school. She returned to Missouri to work as a licensed funeral director and embalmer for the next 33 years. She served families in St. Louis at Kriegshauser Mortuary, Alexander Funeral Home at Mount Lebanon Cemetery and Stygar Family of Funeral Service.
After meeting her husband Don, they would set out to fulfill a lifelong dream of both of theirs, to own and operate a funeral home. This dream would lead them west on I-44 to Cuba, Missouri. On July 21, 2005, their dream would come true, and they acquired the Britton Funeral Home, which was established in 1905. Together they would care for and serve families for the next 18 years.
Lesa was always involved in every community that she lived, and Cuba was no different. She became the “go to person” for many individuals or organizations if they needed something done. She supported school and 4-H/FFA clubs, attending local fundraisers where she would buy silent auction items or get into a bidding war over a pie. She provided a shoulder to cry on for many who had lost a loved one, allowing those grieving to talk while she would listen.
She was the Crawford County Emergency Management Director and served on the Board of Directors of Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. She was a former board member of the Cuba Chamber of Commerce, was Chaplain for the Cuba Fire Protection District and was the Crawford County Fair Parade Chairperson for many years, to name a few of the organizations in which she served.
In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time at Indian Hills Lake and boating in “Morticia,” dancing and antiquing. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and spending time with her family. Christmas with the McCarter family will never be the same.
Lesa was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Jean McCarter; grandparents, Elmer and Gladys McCarter, Della Mae “Gran” Baum; father-in-law, Dickey R. Mizell and other relatives and friends.
Those who are left to treasure her memory and to continue her legacy are her husband, C. Don Mizell of Cuba, Missouri; three daughters, Kayla Baum of Cuba, Missouri, Amanda and husband Drew Townsend of Brownsburg, Indiana and Jaime and husband Michael Simms of O’Fallon, Missouri; three grandchildren, Everlee, Easton and Owen; mother, Miriam (Cook) McCarter of Salem, Missouri; four brothers, Sonny and wife Susie McCarter of Franklin, Ohio, Scott and wife Leigh McCarter of Bentonville, Arkansas, Shawn and wife Lori McCarter of Springfield, Missouri and Justen and wife Lesley McCarter of Collins, Missouri; step-mother, Donna McCarter of Collins, Missouri; mother-in-law, Sue Mizell of Granite City, Illinois; two brothers-in-law, Tim Mizell of Granite City, Illinois and Jason and wife Jessica Mizell of St. Louis, Missouri; two fur babies, Miles and Khloe; two grand fur babies, Leonardo and Isabella; cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, colleagues and many friends.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Mizell Funeral Home with Pastor Don Martin, officiating.
Interment will follow at Kinder Cemetery in her beloved community of Cuba.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to St. Baldricks Foundation 1333 South Mayflower Ave. Suite 400, Monrovia, California 91016 www.stbaldricks.org or Stella’s Wish Foundation 13948 W. Whitewood Dr. Sun City West, Arizona www.stellaswish.org
The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be caring for our beloved Lesa.
