1922-2016
Helen Hazel Lorine (Pierce) Mitchell, age 93, peacefully passed away in the early morning of Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Helen was born in the town of Cole, Oklahoma on June 22, 1922. She was the daughter of M.P. “Bub” and Annie Pierce and sister to Marvin, Melvin, Robert, Dorothy, and Louise.
After graduating from high school in Wellington, Texas, Helen was a long-time resident of Hollis, Oklahoma. Helen married William “Bill” Mitchell on December 21, 1941, and supported Bill while he was serving in the Army Air Forces overseas during WWII. Helen and Bill raised three children in Hollis: Bryan Dee, Karen Leigh, and Jeffery Gil.
The church, and most importantly God, was first in Helen’s life. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hollis, where her husband Bill was baptized in 1961 and where all three of her children were also saved, baptized, and married. Helen served as a Sunday school teacher for sixteen years from primary to intermediate, helped with Bible School, and Royal Ambassadors passing her lifelong wisdom and understanding along to multiple generations. She was always serving in any capacity of the church that she could.
During her lifetime, Helen touched many people and was a staple in the Hollis community, participating in both the Business and Professional Women Organization and Garden Club. Helen served several roles across her life such as working in the local drug store, working at the sale barn, worked at the Mitchell Locker Plant, served as a Hollis Public School librarian, worked as a substitute teacher for the school, and was a loving grandmother to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen’s influence and involvement in the community is recalled with fondness by her grandchildren, as Helen, affectionately known as Granny by family and friends alike, always knew someone no matter the location. Helen was full of life and laughter, and greatly enjoyed family gatherings where she would serve her famous red velvet cake or pecan pie. She was always ready for a good, spirited game of cards or dominos and always had a crossword going. Her grandchildren learned many lessons from summer and holiday visits and always had fun with Granny, as she would not allow the word “bored” to be used.
She was and is loved by her family, and everyone is blessed to have met her. She will be truly missed.
Helen is survived by her three children, Bryan Mitchell of Tulsa, OK, Karen Attebery of Edmond, OK, and Gil Mitchell of Houston, TX, their spouses, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Bill and five siblings.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Hollis, Oklahoma with interment to follow at Fairmont, Cemetery, Hollis, OK.