Beloved columnist authors one last book

Jean Bell Mosley's family publishes her autobiography

By DONNA HICKMAN
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Her stories captivated readers for half a century. Jean Bell Mosley, born in Elvins, died June 11, 2003. Her family has published the story of her life, “And God Answered: A Memoir.”

Copies of the book will be signed by her son Steve at the Farmington Public Library from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  on Dec. 8. The book is available from amazon.com or through the publisher’s web site at www6.semo.edu/universitypress.

“The book has the flavor of life here and the history of this area,” said Alice Johnson, Mosley’s niece who lives in Farmington. “It’s the life she lived here and it tells about families here.”

   Mosley was born September 21, 1913, in Elvins, the youngest daughter of Wilson and Myrtle Casey Bell. Her older sisters were Lucille and Lillian. They spent their early years in St. Francois County near the St. Francis River, where the wildlife, wide meadows, fields and waterways provided the backdrop for Mosley’s writing later in life. The farm home — now known as the Peterson Farm — where she grew up was designated a literary landmark by the Missouri Association of Teachers of English in 1972. Her weekly column, “‘Dawn To Dusk,”  was syndicated in 10 newspapers, including the Farmington Press, where it ran from 1954-1978.

   She graduated valedictorian of Doe Run High School in 1931, graduated valedictorian of Flat River Junior College (now Mineral Area Community College) in 1933 with an associate in education degree and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1937 with a bachelor's degree in education She and Edward P. Mosley were married April 11, 1936, in Farmington. He preceded her in death on Jan. 29, 1977.

The book contains stories involving people and places in the Parkland. It begins in 1900 and continues through 2003, describing life on the farm, school days, the Depression years, wars, the triumphs of country know-how and formal education, the loss of loved ones and the ever present influences of God, nature and the events of the 20th Century.

“My greatest memories of her are from holidays — especially Christmas,” said Johnson. “Our Christmases were formal affairs. We wore long dresses and the men wore suits. We rotated our celebrations every year from each of the sister’s houses. They were nice sit-down affairs.”

Johnson said the sisters made their Christmas presents, like the jewelry box she received from her Aunt Jean that was made from a cigar box.

“She was an old-fashioned lady with old-fashioned values,” said Johnson. “I remember going to her house in Cape and sitting with her in her porch swing. She always had time for us.”

Johnson said her aunt had just about completed “And God Answered” before her death.

Her first short story published by Woman’s Day magazine, was followed by six books, a weekly syndicated newspaper column, and a number of short stories and articles printed in magazines like Reader’s Digest and Guideposts.

“I can still hear her silvery laughter and picture her face crinkling impishly with amusement,” said James McDermott, Roving Editor for Guideposts, in comments printed on the book jacket.” Any conversation with Jean Bell Mosley was without laughter, and any interchange of any sort with her was unfailingly dignified, gentle and life-affirming.”

Mosley’s nephew Charles Wichman also lives in Farmington. Her sister Lucille Bell Kassabaum (1910- 1995) also lived there, on Potosi Street.

Donna Hickman is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact her at 431-2010, ext. 138 or at dhickman@dailyjournalonline.com.

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