Mable Virginia Bartlett

Mable Virginia Bartlett, a pillar of warmth and love for all who knew her, passed away on May 9, 2024 in Houston, Texas.  Born to Hazel and Luther Bennett Miller on December 9, 1946 in Noxubee County, Mississippi, Mable’s life was a perfect exemplar of dedication, love and perseverance.  She is survived by her two sisters, Jewel Dean Brown of Mobile, Alabama and Barbara Ann Miller Brown of Starkville, Mississippi, and her mother, Hazel Davis of Starkville, Mississippi.

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She was the mother of three children, daughter Rose Marie Connor (deceased) of Starkville, Mississippi, Teri Lynn Bartlett Lenard of Kingwood, Texas and Donald Maurice Bartlett of Points, West Virginia.  Mable spent most of her life in Starkville, Mississippi where she served in various capacities as an employee at Mississippi State University.  She finished her career and retired from State service as an Administrative Assistant within the Biological Sciences Division at MSU.

Over the years, Mable’s simplicity and joy were reflected by her extensive artistic and creative abilities.  Her friends and family were continuously amazed by her many talents, including her ability to paint life-like paintings with intricate detail unmatched by most professional artists.  Without having any formal training or education in art, Mable painted some of the most amazing pictures of former U.S. Presidents, various landscapes, sites of historical value, wildlife, flowers and Biblical figures.  Mable’s unique ability to both recall and imagine the most intricate details made each painting come alive to its viewers.

Throughout Mable’s adult life, she experienced many challenges and overcame great adversity.  Mable’s exemplary perseverance was showcased in January 2017 when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer and was given only four to five months to live.  Beating all odds, she battled her Cancer until it went into remission in 2019.  While the Cancer treatments had taken a toll on her body and contributed to various other medical problems, she continued to courageously battle against many health-related problems for the remainder of her life.

Despite facing many challenges, Mable never lost her trust and faith in God.  She commonly told her family members and friends that God had beaten her cancer because she could not have done it on her own.  She served as a pillar of strength and encouragement to all her knew her.  Those closest to Mable drew great strength from her bravery and perseverance in the face of enduring life-threatening medical issues and personal adversity.

During the latter part of her life, Mable discovered great joy while spending time with her two beloved grandchildren, Daniel Lenard of Kingwood, Texas and David Lenard of Goodlettsville, Tennessee.  Perhaps the capstone of her joy was realized when she spent time with her three precious great-grandchildren, Ellie Rose Lenard, Dean Lenard and Amelia Lenard of Kingwood, Texas.

Mable was entirely devoted to caring for the many pets she had over her adult life.  She derived a great deal of satisfaction from selflessly loving all her pets and providing for their every need.  Her beloved Dixie Belle, a part chihuahua, was her favorite pet whom she wholeheartedly cherished until she left this world.

Mable’s legacy is woven through the fabric of ‍the lives of her friends and family.  The warmth and strength of her hands, the beauty of her smile and joy in her laughter will forevermore be in the hearts of all who knew her.  She will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched in her 77 years on this earth.  Mable’s life was a testament to the courage to face the many adversities of life.  The lives Mable touched, the love she shared and support she gave to others will bloom eternally in the hearts of those she left behind.

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A graveside service to honor and celebrate Mable’s life will be held on May 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, Mississippi.  ‍Pastor Dickey Bryan, her daughter Teri, her son Maurice and others will share memories and reflections on a life lived with purpose and love.   Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

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