Suzanne Michelle Mixsell

Suzanne Michelle Mixsell, 86, of Aurora passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born Aug. 31, 1939, in Burbank Calif., the daughter of James and Desi (Cunningham) Ryan. She was the older sister in the family.
Her working career began while working for a CPA Accountant. She then applied for a position at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, located in Burbank, Calif. She was a secretary for one of the directors of the hospital. During her stay at the hospital, she was promoted to payroll executive for the entire hospital. Her previous accounting experience provided excellent qualifications for this payroll position. While she worked for the hospital, she graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 18, 1981. Her love of fashion and clothing enabled her to excel in companies like the Broadway and the May Company. During her tenure at the May Company, she worked as a fashion consultant and color analyst for her customers. Her crowning career achievement took place in Paso Robles, Calif., where she owned her own clothing boutique for seven years. During her time living in Paso Robles, Calif., she and her husband, Michael, built their dream home in the rolling hills of the countryside. In the summer of 2000, she and Michael moved to Aurora, and have been members of the community for 25 years.
She was previously married to Arthur Cameron in 1957 and that marriage lasted for 21 years. They had three children, Scott, Don and Deborah. She remarried again to Michael Mixsell on Aug. 16, 1980. She and Michael were happily married for 45 years until her passing.
She played the organ at the Hollywood Methodist Church for the church services. As a member of the Methodist Church, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and worked with young children at Little Lambs.
She is survived by her husband Michael; her three sons, Scott, Don and Mark; her daughter Deborah; one sister Lawana; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A visitation under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, will be held from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Aurora United Methodist Church with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at the Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Centers of America in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website.