Joyce Elizabeth Adejumo

Joyce Elizabeth Adejumo (Hunt) was born to Mary Elizabeth Sales and Johnny Willie White in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She grew up in Durham North Carolina, where as a child, she demonstrated exceptional skills in mathematics, music, and visual and performance arts. As an academically gifted and service oriented child, Joyce was offered a scholarship to study mathematics in college at the time that she was also considering a national service in the United States military. In August 1979, she enrolled in the United States National Guard and served on numerous active duty tours with the U.S. Army.

In June 1983 she became the first African American female to graduate from the North Carolina Military Academy in the 25-year history of the academy. She rose to the rank of Captain during her service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. She completed her degree from Vincennes University prior to leaving the military.

Joyce had one son, Fred Leon “Mitchie” Mitchell, born in 1985. As a child, Mitchie was injured in a driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) related car wreck. Together, Joyce and Mitchie became outspoken advocates for tougher laws against DWI. They helped to educate the public, lawmakers, policy makers and DWI offenders about the consequences of drunk driving, helping to pass laws to protect victims of DWI. After Mitchie’s passing in 2007, Joyce formed the Mitchie Mitchell Foundation to provide academic scholarships to high school students who are survivors, and the immediate family members of people injured or killed by drunk drivers.

Joyce loved all people unconditionally. Many considered her a pillar in the Austin community, where she had lived since 1985. Her passion for African American art inspired her to open Mitchie’s Gallery in 1989, and the gallery became a gathering place for the community. Mitchie’s Gallery introduced thousands of people to African American art, books, and collectibles while providing a forum for poetry reading and free meeting space for community groups and community events. Each year, Mitchie’s provide activities in art, story time, poetry, and singing for hundreds of children living in Central Austin and immediate area. Mitchie’s Easter egg design and taking pictures with Santa at Christmas time were some of the most anticipated annual events at Mitchie’s.

Her numerous contributions to society also include the establishment of an adult poetry forum in her gallery, the creation of an avenue for “community-talk” for purposes of educational and cultural development, and the promotion of public awareness on pressing social issues, such as the debilitating effects of HIV/AIDS and drunk driving on society.

Joyce was a gifted entrepreneur. She was also a mentor to several individuals. According to her brother, Jeff White, Joyce taught him how to appraise and frame art. Joyce loved her community and devoted her public life to community enrichment services and philanthropy. She worked as a legislative lobbyist for Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers and helped victims rebuild their lives as impacted by drunk drivers. She was a board member for KAZI 88.7 FM.

Joyce closed Mitchie’s Gallery in August, 2012 to receive treatment for pulmonary emphysema. While receiving treatment, she became an advocate for organ donation in society.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Dr. Christopher Adejumo, an artist and professor of art education at the University of Texas at Austin; sister, Val Wiley; brothers, Jeff, Jerry, and Jimmy White, and several

nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 5900 Cameron Road, Austin, Texas. Interment will immediately follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.