Vinita Murrell

Vinita Murrell, 94, of Columbia, Missouri, passed to her eternal reward on November 25, 2017. She was born on February 26, 1923, the second of five daughters born to Dewey McDonald Knier and Amy Bernice (Maxwell) Knier.

She started school at a one room school house, Monitor School, in Dade County, Missouri. At the age of twelve she graduated as valedictorian from the eighth grade. She graduated from Lockwood High School at the age of sixteen, and at the age of seventeen enrolled in Southwest Baptist College. Later, she earned college credit from the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas through extension courses.

On May 20, 1943, Vinita married Paul W. Murrell at the First Baptist Church, Bolivar, Missouri. To this union, there were born four children: John Paul, Mary Ann, Ruth Elaine and James Albert.

During her life, she worked for Southwest Baptist College as secretary to the president, the dean, and the Board of Trustees. She also held the position of college registrar and bursar. In addition to ministering as mother and pastor's wife, Vinita was a substitute teacher for a number of years.

Vinita was active in all aspects of church life in each of the churches where Paul pastored, remaining active in the Lockwood Baptist Church until she moved to Columbia, to live with her daughter, Ruth. At the time of her death, she was a member of Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church, Columbia, Missouri.

For many years, she worked crosswords, sudoku, word finds and jig-saw puzzles. Up until the last few years, she was able to read her Bible daily, a practice she commenced as a young girl. For many years, she read the entire Bible through in the course of a year. Listening to or watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball, Southwest Missouri State and Mizzou Basketball were part of her entertainment.

In addition to her parents, Vinita was preceded in death by her husband, and her sisters, Pauline and Nadine and one grand-daughter, Pam Gould. She is survived by two sisters, Duetta Edwards (Jim) and Martha Fortner (Roy). She is survived by her son, John; her daughter, Ann Reynolds (Jerry); her daughter, Ruth Tichenor (W.B.); and son, James (Brenda). Her grandchildren who survive are: Angie Brown, Todd Reynolds (Rachel), Stephanie Reynolds, Kristen Harper (Ted) and Anthony Murrell. She is further survived by the following great-grandchildren: Kenny Brown, Jr., Cody Brown, Shawn Gould, Kailani Reynolds, Nikolai Reynolds, Mikhial Reynolds, Greyer Helwig, Grant Macoubrie, Gabrielle Harper and one great-great grandson, Josh Gould.

Visitation was November 28, 2017, at the Lockwood Baptist Church, Lockwood, Missouri, with funeral service to follow. Interment was at the Lockwood City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to: The Paul & Vinita Murrell Scholarship Fund, Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar; or The Benevolent Fund of The Baptist Home, Arcadia Valley, Chillicothe or Ozark, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory; 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65203; (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.ParkerMillard.com.