Obituary of Mabel Handy

Coffeyville - Mabel Irene Handy, 92, of Coffeyville and formerly of Dennis, KS passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville. She was born January 14, 1920 in Elk County, KS to Alfred and Eva (Redmon) Wilson. Mabel grew up in Elk County and attended Longton High School. On October 12, 1940 she married Howard Marshall Handy at El Dorado, KS. During World War II Mabel followed her husband while he was in the U.S. Army; living in Rockford, IL, Augusta, GA, and Hamlet, NC. After getting out of the service in 1944 they moved to Wichita where she worked at Boeing Aircraft on the B-17 and B-29 aircraft. In 1945 they moved to the Dennis area where they farmed for 40 years. During the 1950's she worked at H.D. Lee Garment Factory in Cherryvale. Her husband preceded her in death on September 10, 1981. Mabel moved to Sycamore Landing in Coffeyville in 2007. She was a member of the World Wide Church of God for 50 years. After moving to Coffeyville she was a member of the Tyro Christian Church, and was a member of the Joy Group and Loyal Worker's Sunday School Class. Mabel was an example of hard work and sacrifice. She had a kind and sweet gentle spirit, and loved to read her Bible. She was an avid gardener, loved her flowers, and had a passion for new recipes and cooking for family get togethers. No family dinner was complete without her blackberry cobbler. She treasured her family and grandchildren. In later years she visited the elderly in nursing homes bringing them home baked treats. She enjoyed serving older people. While living in the nursing home she appreciated so much the "smiles" of the nursing staff. Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn (Handy) Foote of Coffeyville; two grandchildren, Rebecca (Foote) Hutcheson and husband Jeff of Southampton, PA, and Brian Foote of Denver; five great grandchildren, Kathryn, Andrew, and Logan Hutcheson, and Ashleigh and Derek Foote. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, two brothers, and two infant grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Neodesha Cemetery in Neodesha, KS with David Bycroft of Tyro Christian Church officiating. Friends may call on Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Tyro Christian Church Technology Ministry or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; contribution may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.