Maribeth Mizell Obituary (1940 - 2024)

Maribeth J. Mizell, 84, of Beaufort, SC, died Monday, November 4, 2024 at her daughters' residence,249 Picard Dr in Ladson, SC. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00am in Carl Anderson Memorial Chapel at Anderson Funeral Home. Mrs. Mizell was born on February 9, 1940 in Birmingham, AL. She is the daughter of the late Pelham Wofford and Mary Cribbs Surviving is one daughter, Victoria "Wendy" DeNio; one brother, Richard Wayne Smith; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Maribeth worked for the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department for 39 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Billy Mizell, and one son, Donald Hugh Mizell. Maribeth was a strong and powerful woman. She was a hard worker and cared deeply for her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. I can honestly say that I'm very proud to be the daughter of Maribeth Mizell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice Foundation of America or The Alzheimer's Foundation. Words shared by Beaufort County Sheriff's Department: Maribeth was born on February 9, 1940, in Birmingham, AL, she graduated from State High School in Columbia, SC in 1974. She moved to Charleston, SC where she met her future husband, Billy. She and Billy loved dancing (Shag) and won several dance contests. She and Billy moved to Beaufort as Billy was employed by Pearlstine Distributors. (Budweiser Distributor) Maribeth was hired by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Morgan McCutcheon on August 20, 1980. She meticulously worked as the evidence custodian and received several letters of recognition for her “kindness and sympathetic manner” along with being “a tremendous asset to a profession dedicated to helping others”. She continued with her dedication to her duties until Sheriff McCleod was elected in 1995. *[side note-Maribeth was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff McCutcheon because of her duties as the BCSO Evidence Custodian] Maribeth was re-hired by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in August 1999 when I took office as the Sheriff. I believe this is where Maribeth became known to most as she was the first person that greeted you at the Sheriff’s Office. Maribeth always had a smile on her face and went out of her way to help anyone seeking assistance from the Sheriff’s Office. Maribeth was quick to talk about Billy and her love and dedication to him as she never had to ask or want for anything, he made sure she was taken care of daily. Even after his passing she made sure to celebrate him by remembering him and telling the stories of all the dance trophies they won. Everyone gravitated around her and she unofficially became the “Office Mom”. During her tenure at the “reception desk” she received several written accolades referencing “she was efficient and friendly, and she made us immediately feel welcome” and “she is a wonderful first impression”. This was Maribeth every day she came to work, she was a kind caring soul. She loved this office and the people she worked with; she knew who to call when the public walked through the door needing assistance. Maribeth hand wrote Christmas cards each year for every Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Most people wouldn’t know this unless you worked at the Sheriff’s Office, but Maribeth gave every employee a birthday card with a heartfelt written message every year. She did this up to her last day when her health precluded her from working, and forced her to retire on September 28, 2018, with 34 years of service to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Beaufort County. But don’t think that stopped her from calling in occasionally to talk with me or several of her co-workers to see what was going on or there was anything she could do to help; I truly believe she wanted to make sure we knew she was keeping tabs on us! Maribeth will be missed, and the world is surely a lesser place with her not with us, but we will remember her kindness, friendship, and the times we spent with her.