Claudia Janet Vessell, daughter of the late Harold Mills and Lois White Mills, was born on January 10, 1946, in Bernie, Missouri, and departed this life on May 26, 2025, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 79 years.

Mrs. Vessell was a former administrative assistant for Boyce-Bynum Pathology in Columbia, Missouri. She was a member of Bethany General Baptist Church in Campbell, Missouri, and a resident of Bernie, Missouri.

On November 22, 1975, in Columbia, Missouri, she was united in marriage to James Vessell. Mr. Vessell survives of their home in Bernie.

Along with her husband, she is survived by three sons, Evan Vessell of Bernie, Missouri, Jared Vessell and wife Liana of Columbia, Missouri, and Shane Vessell of Mayfield, Kentucky; by her daughter, Shanna Elam and husband Lewis of Columbia, Missouri; by four brothers, Graydon Mills and wife Bonnie of Potosi, Missouri, Carrol Mills and wife Ruth Ann of Camdenton, Missouri, Tom Mills and wife Martha of West Plains, Missouri, and Mike Mills and wife Charlotte of Bernie, Missouri; by two sisters, Marsha Mills and Mary Waller both of Bernie, Missouri; and by six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Don Mills.

A celebration of life service will be held at Bethany General Baptist Church in Campbell, Missouri on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Bryan Johnson officiating.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.