Sarah Helen Dunlap Mitchell, 86, of Columbus, MS passed quietly from this life on June 30, 2011, at her Columbus home after a lengthy illness. A celebration of her life and memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2011, at 2:00PM at Gunter Peel Funeral Home, followed by burial at Friendship Cemetery. Special music will be provided by the Columbus Church of Christ singers led by Bob Hickman and soloist Bruce Johnson. Billy Ferguson, minister of the Columbus Church of Christ, will officiate. Pallbearers are Don White, Shawn Dickey, Les Chaffin, Chris Morrow, Wade Ward, and Larry Allen. Visitation with family and friends will be from 12:30 to 2:00 prior to the service. Helen Dunlap was the youngest of seven children born to Lucy Alma Coleman Dunlap and William Clough Dunlap on October 11, 1924, in Grady, MS, Webster County. After graduation from Eupora High School in 1941, she moved to Memphis TN where she worked for Paramount Studios. In 1953, she married Jesse Robert Mitchell, becoming a homemaker, and mother of three children. Helen was a faithful Christian and member of the Columbus Church of Christ since 1957, where she taught 4 & 5 year old bible school for 27 years. She loved sewing, growing flowers, studying the Bible, and spending time with her extended family. In her last instructions to her family she wrote, Being a mother and raising my children has been the greatest joy in my life. After her children entered school, her caring nature directed her to work at Betty Haynes Kindergarten, Angel Playland Daycare, and as Activities Director at Aurora Australias Nursing Home before her retirement in 1991. She spent her latter years caring for her husband, enjoying her family and serving her Lord. She will be remembered as a true southern lady, modeling Christian values. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jesse R. Mitchell of Columbus; daughter, Dr. Ellie H. Graham of Columbus; sons, Dr. Bobby Mitchell (Mary) of Douglasville, GA and E. Alan Mitchell of Clearwater, FL. Also surviving are grandchildren, Todd S. Graham (Jeannie) of Columbus; Shannon D. McCain (Billy) of Biloxi; Blake L. Mitchell, Ian R. Mitchell, and Jillian G. Mitchell of Douglasville, GA; Ariel N. Mitchell of Clearwater, FL.; and eight great-grandchildren. Special thanks to the staff of Baptist Memorial Hospice and to caregivers Angela Clemmons, Judy Breaux, Gail Rodgers, Annette Bradley, and Gloria Wade for their excellent care and devotion during her illness. Donation in her memory may be sent to Magnolia Bible College, Columbus Christian School or the Columbus Church of Christ Missions Work.
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