Cheryl Maupin Bell, a proud native of Mexico, Missouri, lived a life deeply intertwined with her hometown. From her birth on January 4, 1947, to her passing, Cheryl’s story is a testament to a life well-lived, characterized by care, love, faith, and a profound dedication to education within her beloved community of Mexico, Missouri. Born to Harris and Carlene (Woodson) Maupin in Mexico, Missouri, Cheryl embraced her identity as a “Mexicoan,” residing in what she affectionately called “Small Town U.S.A.” throughout her entire life. Her formative years in Mexico, Missouri were spent attending local schools – Eugene Field Elementary, Hardin Junior High, and finally Mexico Senior High School, where she graduated in 1965. Cheryl often reminisced about her childhood in Mexico, Missouri with fondness, describing the 1950s and 60s as a “perfect place and the perfect time.” These were years of a simpler pace, filled with wholesome experiences like watching Art Simmons and his horses, sledding down Yale Street, and proudly marching with the Mexico Dixie Grays in the Soy Bean Festival parade. Life in Mexico, Missouri, as she remembered it, was secure, respectful, and deeply rooted in community values and church attendance.
After completing her education in Mexico, Missouri, Cheryl embarked on her professional journey, initially as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and later in the shipping department at A.P. Green Fire Brick Company, both significant employers in Mexico, Missouri. However, her true calling lay in education. While working, Cheryl pursued her dream of becoming a teacher, diligently taking night classes at Moberly Junior College. Driven by her passion, she transitioned to a full-time student, balancing classes three days a week with various jobs on the other days. Her perseverance paid off as she earned an AA degree from Moberly Junior College and continued her education at the University of Missouri. In 1980, Cheryl graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education and a minor in general science, a significant achievement for someone from Mexico, Missouri aiming to make a difference. She furthered her academic pursuits during summer months at Truman University and the University of Missouri, culminating in a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1993, solidifying her expertise in education within the Missouri context.
Cheryl’s passion for teaching ignited the moment she stepped into her classroom in 1981 at Montgomery County R-II in Montgomery City, Missouri. There, she shared her love for high school English, literature, composition, speech, and drama. Her dedication extended beyond the curriculum as she directed plays and musicals, realizing her long-held dream of shaping young minds. In 1985, an opportunity arose closer to home at Mexico Junior High School, and she proudly became a Bulldog for the next two decades. Teaching in Mexico, Missouri was more than a job for Cheryl; it was a profound joy. She went above and beyond, tutoring students after school and devising creative teaching methods to connect with “her kids.” Her commitment was recognized when the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce honored her as “Teacher of the Year” in 1999, a testament to her impact on education in Mexico, Missouri. However, for Cheryl, the true reward was witnessing her students’ success in life, maintaining friendships with many of them throughout the years, a lasting connection to Mexico, Missouri youth.
Even after retiring in 2005, Cheryl’s dedication to education in Mexico, Missouri continued. She enthusiastically participated in teaching and directing the Audrain County Historical Society Children’s History Camp for nine years. At History Camp, she brought history to life, creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences for children in the Mexico, Missouri area. Her contributions were celebrated with the Audrain County Historical Society President’s Award in 2010, further acknowledging her commitment to enriching the community of Mexico, Missouri.
Cheryl’s innate teaching ability extended beyond traditional academics. She gained accreditation at the McGowan Rug Hooking School in Texas and began teaching traditional rug hooking in her home in Mexico, Missouri. She and her students established the Salt River Rug Hooking group, fostering a community of crafters in Mexico, Missouri. Cheryl also directed several rug hooking camps in Mexico, relishing every moment and forming deep bonds with fellow enthusiasts, whom she affectionately called “God’s people – good, kind, and the very best!” within the rug hooking circles of Mexico, Missouri and beyond.
Family was central to Cheryl’s life. Her first and deepest love was her daughter Sundy (Smiley) Fuemmeler, who she described as “the light of her life” and “everything I wanted to be.” Their bond was strong, navigating life’s challenges together in Mexico, Missouri. Cheryl married David Bell on February 29, 1980, and they became an inseparable team. She often spoke of their partnership, remarking that together they could achieve anything, a testament to their life built together in Mexico, Missouri.
In 2016, at the age of 69, Cheryl embraced Catholicism, joining St. Brendan parish in Mexico, Missouri. This marked a significant spiritual journey for her, and her faith deeply enriched her life in her later years in Mexico, Missouri. Her husband David, witnessing her joy, joined the Church a year later, further strengthening their bond and shared faith within the Mexico, Missouri community.
Cheryl’s legacy lives on through her daughter Sundy and son-in-law Vince Fuemmeler of Mexico, MO, and her beloved grandsons Jake (Lexi) Fuemmeler of St. Louis, MO, and Brock (Whitney) Fuemmeler of Mexico, MO. Her grandsons, and later their wives, held a special place in her heart, extending her family and her roots even deeper into Mexico, Missouri. She is also survived by special Bell children and grandchildren, and her brother Harris L. Maupin and nieces, all part of the extended family that enriched her life in and beyond Mexico, Missouri.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, cousin Deetrice Maupin Shaull, sister-in-law Allyson Maupin, and many cherished pets. Her life, deeply rooted in Mexico, Missouri, will be remembered at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Mexico, Missouri on Tuesday, October 1st, followed by entombment at East Lawn Memorial Park Columbariums in Mexico, Missouri. Visitation will be held at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico, Missouri on Monday, September 30th, with a Rosary recited in her memory. Memorial donations in Cheryl’s name can be made to St. Brendan Catholic Church or the Audrain Humane Society, both in Mexico, MO, reflecting her enduring love for her community and its well-being. Cheryl Maupin Bell’s life serves as an inspiring example of dedication to family, education, and community, all within the heart of Mexico, Missouri.
