Mrs. Betty Jean Wilson Mitchell, 92 years of age, of Florence, Alabama, died Monday, May 30, 2016. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Russellville, Alabama, September 19, 1923, the daughter of James Coffee Wilson and his wife, Leacie Black Wilson. Her family moved to Florence shortly after her third birthday where she lived the remainder of her life.

Mrs. Mitchell graduated from Coffee High School in Florence, attended Florence State University (now University of North Alabama) and graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. While at the University of Alabama, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, serving as president of the chapter her senior year. Mrs. Mitchell was also active in University theatre and was a member of the arts and drama honorary.

Upon graduation from college, Mrs. Mitchell returned to Florence and taught English and speech at Coffee High School until her marriage in 1949 to Dr. Ira Lyman Mitchell, Sr. The couple were married 62 years until Dr. Mitchell''s death in 2011.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her daughter, Leacie Melinda Mitchell; her two sons, Dr. Ira Lyman Mitchell, Jr. (Kay) and James Wilson Mitchell (Kristi); seven grandchildren, Michael David Waters, Jr., Verlon Mitchell Waters (Tori), Laura Leacie Wilson Waters, Alison Mitchell Henninger (Eric), Dr. Michael Drew Mitchell (Heather), Kevin Butler Mitchell (Samantha), and Kyle Wilson Mitchell (Silka); eight great-grandchildren, Graham Allen Henninger, Emily Karen Henninger, Ava Blakely Mitchell, Hudson Kent Mitchell, Lauren Reece Mitchell, Robin Blake Mitchell, Saylor Gray Mitchell, and Carden Lyman Mitchell; and three nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, James Coffee Wilson and Leacie Black Wilson, her sister, Martha Wilson Kytle, and her husband, Dr. Ira Lyman Mitchell, Sr.

An active member of First Presbyterian Church, Florence, throughout her life until illness prevented regular attendance, Mrs. Mitchell served in many positions of Church leadership and service, including elected Elder, President of the Women of the Church, Circle leader, and Sunday school teacher. She often presented her studies on women of the Bible to church groups and offered her musical and dramatic talents to children''s ministries there. Additionally, she and her husband regularly hosted Church youth groups at their summer home on Shoal Creek. In 2001, as recognition of her over fifty years of faithful service, Mrs. Mitchell was awarded "Honorary Life Membership" by the Presbyterian Women of the Church.

In 1972, Mrs. Mitchell was selected as a member of the Florence City School Board. She was the first woman ever to serve on this Board and remained a member for three terms, serving as Chairman of the Board three times over the course of her service to the students of the Florence City school system.


Both Mrs. Mitchell and her husband were active supporters of the arts in the Shoals area. Mrs. Mitchell starred in several productions of the Florence Summer Music Theatre, including lead roles in Mame, Applause and Fiddler on the Roof. She later joined with local theater advocates to form the Zodiac Theatre. In addition to serving on the Board for the Theater, Mrs. Mitchell directed many plays through the years and continued throughout her life to support bringing quality theater and musical productions to the Shoals area.

Ever an avid learner, Mrs. Mitchell enjoyed a lifelong love of reading plays and other literary works, and studying the Bible. She gave many book reviews over the years to area clubs and enjoyed participating in efforts to further literacy in the Shoals area.

Mrs. Mitchell was known by her friends to be an expert bridge player. The ladies of her first bridge club played together for over fifty years. Later in her life, she enjoyed playing duplicate bridge with other close friends.

While her children were young, Mrs. Mitchell was an active member of the Shoals Service League (now Junior League). She supported her husband''s dental career and his lifelong interest in music, and was always available to assist with any church, school activity or sporting event in which her children participated as they grew up.

It can thus be said that Mrs. Mitchell''s life''s work was service to God, her family and the community she loved so well. She was a cherished wife to her husband, a devoted mother and Christian example to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and family members, and a compassionate and loyal friend to many. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Edsel Price Holden, II, Dr. Therese M. Lango, Loraine Hagood, the staff on fifth floor of Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, and the staff at Mitchell Hollingsworth Summit Rehab for their loving care of their mother during her final illness.

A celebration of Mrs. Mitchell''s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 224 East Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, on Friday, June 3, 2016. The family will receive visitors in the Church library beginning at 1 p.m. Services will be held in the Church Sanctuary at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery, 3657 Old Chisholm Road, Florence, Alabama. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Mitchell''s grandsons.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice, or to First Presbyterian Church, or to Singing River Equine Rescue, 2701 Mall Road, PMB 159, Florence, Alabama 35630.