02/20/2026
Mona Bell McCourt McCartney
1936, a year to remember...
1936 (MCM###VI in Roman Numerals) was the year when the world population was about 2.2 billion. Americans were still climbing out of the Great Depression, building lives through New Deal work programs and listening nightly to news and entertainment over the radio. U.S. unemployment averaged 14.1%, consumer prices rose about 1%, and average household income was about $18,030 (in modern-adjusted dollars). The average cost of a new home was about $4,100.00, the average yearly wage was around $1,780.00, and a gallon of gas averaged 10 cents. The Federal Theatre Project was employing artists across the nation, and weekly broadcasts of the Federal Theatre of the Air were reaching listeners everywhere. Reading Gone with the Wind, going to musical comedies like The Big Broadcast, and gathering around the radio for national programming had become immensely popular. Newsreels such as The March of Time played in theaters, and government arts and theatre initiatives were bringing live performance and culture to millions of Americans for the first time.
On August 9th,1936, a Sunday that was in the midst of one of the most severe, record-breaking heat waves in North American history, but this day gifted Leslie & Rosa McCourt a new baby girl into the West Virginia mountains. Mona Bell was the name given to this new radio baby to begin her adventures within this world. The oldest of six, she led the way for her sisters Loretta (Larry) Cutlip, Jennie (Jerry) Hesson, and brothers Norman (Mary) McCourt, Doyle (Shiela) McCourt, Terry (Pam) McCourt for the many adventures they had growing up. Growing up in West Virgina, not having much, Mona would make sure her siblings was as happy as they could be. One Christmas Mona had set up a Christmas tree in a corner of their home. The family not having much, Mona had gotten some gifts for her siblings. Knowing that Loretta wanted a baby doll, Mona had gotten one for her, wrapped it and put it under the tree. This gift, as simple as it was, meant the world to her younger sister. Again, this is the power of Mona, knowing how to bring joy to the family when they had nothing to give.
On August 21, 1959, in Webster Springs, Mona met Randell McCartney at a small local restaurant. When Randell asked if she would play the jukebox for him, at a time when three songs could be played for a dime, the first song she selected was “There’ll Never Be Anyone Else for Me.” From that moment, their love story began. They soon married and set out together on life’s adventures. Their journey first took them to Ohio, where they began raising their family and eventually planted roots in Grafton. Randall & Mona started with their 1st child, a new baby girl into the West Virginia mountains. Rosa Mary was the name given to this new baby boomer to begin her adventures within this world. Next came Michael (Laurie/Dreama) McCartney, their new baby boy, followed to be showered with love and knowledge. Ten years after Michael was born, Wayne (Dawn) McCartney came into the world to be enveloped by love. Mona now had three children to now shape and mold into adults knowing that they would know nothing more than unconditional love.
After their children were raised, they returned home in 1998, settling in Cleveland, West Virginia. There, Mona became deeply involved with the senior center in Webster, dedicating her time to helping others and finding true joy in serving her community. Among many fond memories, nothing was more beloved at the senior center than Mona’s potato salad. Wherever she went and whoever she was with, Mona had a gift for bringing warmth, laughter, and happiness to those around her.
Children - Rosa Mary, Michael (Laurie/Dreama) McCartney, Wayne (Dawn) McCartney
Grandchildren - Veronica (David) Grizzell, Johnny (Shannon) Burch, Christina (Joshua) Grizzell, Cody (Kayla) McCartney, Logan McCartney, Mikayla (Brandon) Christman
Great Grandchildren – Roger (Bree) Jones, Tristen (Rachel) Grizzell, Skyler (Greg) Melton, Riley Koker, Nathan Burch, Gaven Grizzell, Caiden Burch, Kinadee Grizzell, Gideian Dobbins, Negan McCartney, Jay Palmer, Weston McCartney, Loriane Palmer, Madison McCartney, Conley Christman,
Great Great Grandchildren – Jonah Clarke, Lydia Jones, Blake Grizzell, Henry Koker, Harlin Jones, Mila Grizzell
A Very Special Friend – Andrew “Big Ugly” Eubank
Throughout Mona’s life she always held a deep love for her family. Through both difficult and joyful seasons, Mona devoted herself as a full-time homemaker, focusing on creating a home where those she loved were cared for and comforted. While life did not always come easily, Mona gave everything she had to support her family and offer kindness to those around her. She treasured time spent with family and friends whenever she could, finding happiness simply in being together. Mona enjoyed collecting decorative bears, dolls, and photographs, surrounding herself with small treasures and memories that told the story of her life. Once grandchildren entered her world, her heart centered on them, cherishing every moment she was given and sharing warmth, guidance, and affection. No matter who crossed her path, Mona welcomed people with an open heart and a gentle spirit. Whether sharing stories, reminiscing over pictures, or enjoying everyday moments, time spent with Mona was often filled with meaningful conversation, laughter, and genuine love.
On February 15th, 2026, after 68 years of marriage to Randell McCartney, Mona Bell McCartney, received a call from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She has gone home to be with her granddaughter Tonya Burch, daughters Rosa Mary Rivera, Laurie McCartney, and parents Leslie and Rosa McCourt. While those of us left behind will be saddened with her departure from earth, we can all rejoice with the fact that one day we will see her yet again in the Kingdom of Heaven.
We lost Mona on February 15th, 2026. Losing a loved one is never easy, and the quiet of a winter day can make the absence feel even heavier when someone is taken from us. But we must remind ourselves that while she was taken away, we were given the gift of having her in our lives for as long as we did. We are thankful for the life she lived, the laughs we shared, the tears we shed, the love we carry, and the wisdom she passed on. We are grateful that she is no longer in pain in her earthly form. We are all thankful that she chose to spend her time on this planet with us. Although we know she can no longer hear these words, we trust that wherever she rests, she can feel our love and how deeply thankful we are for her.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Not Gone - Just Folded Into the Moment
For Mona
The afternoon sits gently on my shoulders,
to loosen winter’s grip,
and I sit where the yard opens,
toward the sound of moving water,
the stream keeps talking in front of me,
a stream threading its quiet story,
through stone and memory,
just threading silver through the quiet,
as if time itself were water,
and had somewhere better to be.
Trees stand around like witnesses,
bare but patient,
holding the idea of leaves in their bones,
like a promise they haven’t spoken yet,
nature is not sleeping,
nature is rehearsing,
not spring, not winter,
just the inhale before becoming,
waiting for spring to take off running,
waiting to remember color.
Wooden flowerpots sit where they’ve always been,
soil resting in them like paused thoughts,
ready for color,
ready for hands,
ready for something to begin again.
holding last year’s dirt,
holding this year’s promise,
holding the kind of hope,
that doesn’t need announcement.
And somewhere behind me,
life carries on at human volume,
family voices rising and falling,
stories passing hands like photographs,
your name drifting in and out of laughter,
family love carried by warm wind,
stories folding and unfolding,
around one name,
Mona…
Her name moves through them,
like light through branches,
touching everything,
belonging everywhere.
Birds stitch sound into the air,
quick notes of ordinary wonder,
sharp notes, bright declarations,
while the wind moves through warm,
touching everything equally,
lifting February,
just enough to make it kind,
and there above the carport,
that simply reads,
Welcome
Not just for visitors,
but for this day,
for the stories,
for the remembering,
for Mona,
for the way presence lingers,
long after footsteps fade,
like it was written for this exact hour.
Because Mona is here,
in the telling,
in the remembering,
in the shared pauses between sentences,
in the way laughter leans forward,
in the warmth that settles,
and resumes with warmth intact.
So, I sit and listen,
to water,
to wind,
to memory moving through people,
the afternoon holding us all together,
without needing explanation.
She is in the stream’s persistence,
the pots waiting to bloom,
the trees practicing patience,
the wind that carries voices,
she is not fixed to a place,
she moves, through laughter,
through quiet listening,
through the soft noticing,
of an afternoon that asks nothing.
Mona remains
not gone,
not gone,
just folded into the moment,
like light into air,
here with us,
sitting next to me,
smiling,
welcome,
always welcome,
in everything that continues.
So, I sit,
letting the moment settle,
letting the warmth stay longer than expected,
and I understand,
Some people become seasons.
Some people become stories.
And some, like Mona,
become the feeling,
that makes a place feel like home,
that makes you feel welcome,
that makes you feel loved.
Thank You Mamaw for everything.
David…
