PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Virginia Kindred Mitchell, widow of Dr. James Stuart Mitchell, Jr., M.D., passed away Monday, December 23 in Columbus, Ga., surrounded by her family.
Born July 27, 1928 to Gladys and Orion Kindred who predeceased her, Mrs. Mitchell also was predeceased by her brother, Neal Kindred and her sister, June Day.
Mrs. Mitchell graduated from Central High School and worked for the Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus.
In 1951, she married Dr. James S. Mitchell, Jr. They moved to Birmingham, Ala., while he finished medical school. The Mitchells relocated back to their hometown of Phenix City where Dr. Mitchell established a family medicine practice and where they reared their four children.
She and Dr. Mitchell were lifelong supporters of the University of Alabama. All four children and two grandchildren are alumni. Whether at a game or watching on TV, she always wore her Crimson and White on Saturdays in the fall.
Married more than 50 years until his passing in 2002, Mrs. Mitchell and Dr. Mitchell actively participated and supported many civic, charitable and philanthropic organizations locally, regionally and internationally. They enjoyed extensive traveling throughout their marriage with the Holy Land being the most special.
She had an extended lifelong commitment to First Baptist Church of Phenix City where she was an active member who taught Sunday School, led Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), was active in Girls Auxiliary (GA), and was a member of the choir.
Her love for flowers and gardening led to a longterm relationship with garden clubs. She was past president of the Federated Garden Club and Tulip Garden Club, and supported the preservation and fundraising to support the historic Log Cabin of Phenix City.
Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Janet Mitchell May (Mike) of Phenix City, J. Stuart Mitchell III (Lisa) of Satellite Beach, Fla., Brenda Mitchell Sherrer (Jack) of Columbus and Ellen Mitchell Dye (Wade) of Blackshear; grandchildren, Amy May Hazelton (Jeremy) of Vestavia Hills, Ala., Dana Michael May (Kristin) of Auburn, Ala., Jack D. Sherrer III of Los Angeles, Calif., Avery Sherrer of St. Petersburg, Fla., James Mitchell Sherrer (Molly) of Atlanta, William Stuart Sherrer of New Port Beach, Calif., Virginia Catherine Dye of Newnan, Ga., and Margaret
Mitchell
Latham Dye of Columbia, S.C.; great grandchildren, Madeleine May Hazelton, Chloe Anne Hazelton, Emilia Jane May, Nora Lorraine May and Lucy McLaine May.
A Celebration of Life was held Friday, December 27 in Lakewood Hall at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Phenix City.
Officiating was the Rev. Robb Goodman of Summerville Baptist Church, Phenix City. Eulogy was by her son, J. Stuart Mitchell III. A private burial followed at Lakeview Memory Gardens. Pallbearers were her sons-inlaw and grandsons.
The family extends its thanks and appreciation to the staff and Leadership Team at Thrive at Green Island Assisted Living and special thanks to Ethel Kilgore Griffin for her compassion and support.
