Obituary

Leo Fennel Mizell

August 21, 1930 - February 23, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Leo Fennel Mizell soared to heaven.

Born August 21, 1930, in the home of his parents, Samuel Chavgney and Myrtis Jones Mizell, in Talisheek, Louisiana.  Adored by his grandparents: William Kinch and Martha Olivia Mizell, and Chesley Bosley and Emma Luvenia Jones. He was from a humble beginning to a humble ending and had a life well lived in between.

His father was a school principal, his mother a teacher, and he drove the bus to school at a young age. The family moved near Bogalusa, Louisiana where he attended high school, played the trumpet and became a brother to Martha Ruth Pierce (Huey) and Sidney Chess Mizell (Mary). His future brother-in-law, Huey Pierce, would operate the door on the bus when he drove the kids to school.

Leo graduated from Louisiana State University in 1951 with a degree in Agricultural Science and served in the military afterwards and became a First Lieutenant in the Air Force.

After his service was over, he joined Swift & Company and in 1953 moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he met Muriel Frances Murphy at a birthday party. They were married March 31, 1956, at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Sioux City and they stayed together until she passed November 12, 2025.

After Sioux City the family moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Naperville, Illinois, and Moultrie, Georgia. In 1970 he took the position of operations manager at Calhoun Packing Company in Palestine, Texas. He was also president of Pioneer Beef Packing in Grenada, Mississippi.

He was daddy to Michelle Marie Herzer (Frederick), and dad to Michael Leo Mizell (Christine) and William Chesley Mizell.

He was Pop Pop to his grandchildren: Stephen Herzer (Mariah), Carter Mizell (Mary Alex), Caroline Mizell, Lindsey James (Cyril), and Logan Mizell. He was a great grandfather to Sophia Herzer, and Reeves and Hunter Mizell.

Leo was a respected businessman, and a devoted volunteer and serviceman to the community. A Rotarian, scout master, volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels and on the vestry at St Philips Episcopal Church. He oversaw the reconstruction of St Philips after it burned in 1980. He was a Mason as was his father.

Loved his family and friends, his church, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Pete Fountain, Al Hurt, Brenda Lee (that we all learned about growing up during his music appreciation class before dinner) fishing, grilling steaks, fish frys and cooking prime rib, laughing, kindness, tending to his yard and storytelling. Leo could tell a story in detail and with great enthusiasm. We will forever miss these moments.

Special thanks to Dr. Gorby and all his caregivers, including Yvette and Carolyn and those at Hospice Plus: Amanda, Evelyn, Anita, Lee and at Windemere, especially Greg Neel, Trina Treadwell and Shelby Moore.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Philips Episcopal Church (Palestine, TX), Meals-on-Wheels or your favorite food pantry.

Bailey and Foster Funeral Home in Palestine, Tx. is in charge of arrangements.