Mrs. Lillie Mary Mitchell

Lillie Mary Kelley Mitchell departed this life to her eternal home on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Edgewood Assisted Care Center in Saginaw Township, Michigan at the age of 97 years. She was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana on February 16, 1921 to James and Lillie Kelley. She was joined in Holy matrimony to George Taylor Mitchell on March 3, 1945. They were part of the Great Migration of African Americans to Saginaw, Michigan in 1946. He preceded her in death in November 1991. Her dedication to her faith journey began at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, Lake Providence, Louisiana. It set the direction for her life. She was a proud and dedicated member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Saginaw, MI for over 70 years. She participated in numerous ministries including, Senior Mission, Christian Education, Advisor to the Young Matrons, Vacation Bible School, Culinary committee and her greatest joy, teaching Sunday school. Beyond the church, Lillie was a dedicated educator. She graduated from Grambling State University in 1945 with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and pursued additional graduate studies at Michigan State University. She began her teaching career in the Arkansas Public School System. Mrs. Mitchell taught for over 30 years and retired from Martha Longstreet Elementary School in Saginaw, MI. Left to cherish her memory are her children, George Taylor Mitchell, Jr. (Margaret Ann) Bridgeport, MI, Kerry Ray Mitchell, Frankenmuth, MI and Cheryl Mitchell Allgood, Newark, NJ; grandchildren, Adriana Allgood, Minister Tanya (Rev. Thomas) Brown, Anita Mitchell, Major Chanel N. Mitchell, USAF, Christopher Mitchell, George Mitchell III (Shereika), Jonathan Mitchell, Julian Mitchell, Kerry Mitchell, Jr. and Latasha Thompson (Aaron); several great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; only surviving sibling, Joseph F. Kelley (Lerline), Stockton, CA; special nieces, Luella M. Evans, Rhonda Jo Fields, Sandra L. Fields, Patricia Jones and Clara Jean Wilbon; many other nieces and nephews; loving godchildren, Pamela Bradley Dewberry and Tony Merkerson; special friends who will greatly miss her, Elizabeth Barnett, Anna Merkerson, Carlean Bradley, Ernestine Martin, Annie Thomas, Cheryl Timberlake, Shirley Nuckolls, Lizzie Robinson, Barbara Taylor, Beverly Westbrook, Carol Mason, Janet Smith, Lela Wade, Lorna Putman and Judith Boli. Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillie (Wilder) Kelley; a daughter in May 2004, Joyce Marie Mitchell; thirteen siblings, Daniel, Eliza, Daisy, Missouri, Mary, James, Jr., Louise, Ollie Mae, Willie, George, Mable, Gertrude and Ozia B. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street, Saginaw, MI 48607. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to greet friends.

Mrs. Lillie Mary Mitchell

February 16, 1921 - January 16, 2019