"She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her." (Proverbs 3:15) On April 11, 2017, our Heavenly Father called Mrs. Evelyn Wiggins Mitchell to her eternal rest. Daughter of the late Rev. Alonza M. and Fannie Wiggins, Mrs. Mitchell was born on July 23, 1933, in Spring Hope, NC. She was the fifth of five children—including Robert Herman Wiggins, Rev. Garland F. Wiggins, Annie Ruth Wiggins, and Mary Lois Wiggins--born to her loving parents, all of whom preceded her in death. She grew up in a home where the love of God, the love of family, and the ethics of Christian living were foundational. She always thought of Spring Hope as her home and fondly remembered her life there. She was educated in the public schools of Nash County. At the age of twelve, Mrs. Mitchell joined the Rocky Point Baptist Church in Spring Hope. When her father accepted a pastoral appointment at New Bethel Baptist Church in Clayton, NC, the family moved to Clayton in 1950. There, she joined New Bethel and met the love of her life, James. In 1951, she graduated from Spaulding High School in Spring Hope. After moving, she and her parents arranged for her to complete high school with her beloved class. At Spaulding, she was a very active and successful student; she was a four-year honor student, she served as vice-president of her senior class, she co-edited her senior yearbook, and she played on the girls' basketball team. After graduating, she followed her father and brother in attending Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, graduating in 1955 and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. While at Shaw University, she received numerous academic awards, and she pledged Zeta Phi Beta sorority. She later pursued graduate studies in education at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC. Mrs. Mitchell loved many things—literature, children, music, animals, nature, art, museums, and American history, especially Civil War and presidential histories—and she loved many people. Her first love, however, was her family. Her most joyful moments were as a wife, a mother, and a daughter. In 1954, she married the late Mr. James J. Mitchell. To this union, two children were born: Steven and Angelyn (Angie). She and her mother were the best of friends, and she admired both her father and her brother tremendously. She and her husband complemented each other in so many ways—they were perfectly matched. She was very proud of him and their children, delighting in their family life. She often said she was lucky both to love and to like her children. She enjoyed spending time with her children, always interested in and encouraging them in their pursuits. She also loved dearly her extended family. For example, she always remembered her late mother-in-law's birthday, and she stayed in close contact through the years with her special cousins, aunts, and uncles. After retiring, she enjoyed reading, writing poetry, spending time with her children, and learning about healthy eating and living, well before the recent popularity of organic foods and products. Her love for children led her to a career in education. After graduating from college, Mrs. Mitchell began her career, teaching in the Johnston County Public School System for twenty-five years. Early in her career, she taught in Four Oaks, Princeton, and Selma. For many years, she taught second grade at Cooper Elementary and at Clayton Primary in Clayton. A devoted believer in the transformative power of education, Mrs. Mitchell excelled as a teacher. She deeply believed in the unlimited potential of young people and worked to maximize their potential. With a kind and gentle spirit, she motivated and educated her students, expecting and encouraging their very best academically and personally. She retired in 1982. Mrs. Mitchell also served in leadership roles at her church, New Bethel, for many years, and she participated in a number of civic organizations. She actively sought opportunities to work with children beyond the classroom because she believed "it takes a village" for children to actualize their potential. Deeply religious, she taught Sunday School classes for various age groups, directed the junior choir, organized Easter and Christmas pageants, and directed the Vacation Bible School, all at New Bethel. She was a troop leader for local Brownie and Girl Scouts troops and a member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW). Mrs. Mitchell loved the arts, especially literature. Combining her love of children and animals, she wrote a children's book, My Dog Sam, dedicated to her deceased siblings, "who never saw Sam." She was also a gifted poet, publishing a collection of her poems entitled "My Best to You." The title represents not only her poetic offerings but also her philosophy of life—she gave her best in every endeavor and to everyone. She also wrote short stories, one of which is included in this program. Finally, Mrs. Mitchell was a playwright. Inspired by the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976, she wrote, produced, and directed a play for her second grade class in which she highlighted the best of American ideals—bravery, freedom, and sacrifice. This play was a reflection of her great love of American history and her belief that history was instructive and inspirational. Because she loved history, she was the greatest fan of Ken Burns's historical documentaries. She was truly more precious than rubies, and we will love and miss her always. Cherishing her memory are her loving son, Mr. Steven V. Mitchell and his wife Suzette, of Garner, NC; her loving daughter, Dr. Angelyn Mitchell and her husband Dr. Duane Cooper, of Riverdale, MD; her loving goddaughter, Ms. Lola A. Davis, of Clayton, NC; her special cousin, Mrs. Alice P. Whitaker, of Durham, NC; her best friend and pal, Mrs. Alma B. Avent, of Baltimore, MD; her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ida S. Wiggins, of Peekskill, NY, Mrs. Frances M. Sanders, of Garner, NC, and Mrs. Ella Mitchell, of Clayton, NC; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and many former students. One of her poems, entitled "My Legacy," is especially comforting to all who loved her at this time: My legacy to you is love, To carry with you always, To sustain you through the lonely nights, To brighten all of your days. My legacy to you is love, It's yours to have and to hold. Though memories may fade with time, Never will my love grow cold. The Family
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