Of Springfield died , on November 23, 2017, at the age of 96. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Melvin W. Mitchell (d. 1987), her parents Ivan C. and Nannie E. Porter, her sister Ila Mae and husband Charles W. Brokaw; mother of Michael Alan Mitchell (wife Debi), Judith Mitchell (husband Larry) Johnson, Gregory Carl Mitchell, and Virginia Lee (husband Jay) Mitchell; grandmother of Matthew, Kristen, Denise, Michael, David, Kenneth, Jennifer, Woody, Tammy, Katie, Carrie, Rebecca and Jamie; great-grandmother of Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Jack, Miles, Grayson, Brayden, Mackenzie, Graham, Abigail, Cole and Rhys.
Ethel was a long-time resident of Springfield, Virginia, having moved here in 1967. She was born in Decatur, Nebraska in 1921, where she grew up on the family farm. In her 20’s, she moved to Sacramento, California, where she met Melvin and began their long life together. Her life was full of travels, friends, volunteering, and even a few bowling championships, More than anything she cherished her time as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The devoted nurturer and care-giver, Ethel doted on her family, all of whom are better for it.
Friends are welcomed at Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield on Wednesday, November 29 at 10 am for visitation, with services at 11 and reception immediately afterward. Interment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ethel's memory to American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or Westwood Baptist Church.
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