Elizabeth Belk Betty Mitchell, 80, died Monday, August 22, 2005, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. Services will be Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Columbus with Dr. Bobby Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation will Wednesday, August 24, 2005, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Churchin Columbus. Betty was born May 17, 1925, in Fayette County, AL, to the late Realy W. and Vena Porter Belk. She was a graduate of New Hope High School and attended Franklin Business College in Franklin, TN. Betty served on numerous boards and organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, United Way, Columbus Lowndes Humane Society and the Mark Mitchell Shelter. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbus where she served on various advisory committees. Betty Mitchell was a lifelong volunteer with a passion for her community, whether providing and supplies for the Red Cross or advocating for abused children. She was an avid sports fan and took a keen interest in politics both locally and nationally. Betty is predeceased by her husband, C. Lionel Mitch Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Engineering, now Ceco Building Systems; her son Mark Mitchell; sister Alvilda Tillie Belk; and brother Paul V. Belk. She is survived by her daughters, Beth Mitchell (husband Mike Murphy) of London, Ontario, Canada, Myla Mitchell of Atlanta, GA; and granddaughters Caitlin and Meredith Murphy of London, Ontario. She is also survived by foster sister, Maxine Sullivan of Reform, AL; sister-in-law Ida Ray Belk of Steens, MS; nephew Paul Belk, Jr. (wife Gwen) of Lubbock TX; step-daughter Marilyn Mitchell Avery (husband Ken) and grandsons Kenny, Tyler, and Matthew and their families; brother-in-law Ray Mitchell and sister in-law Judy Mitchell Seal, and their families. Pallbearers will be James Mosley, Billy Nelson, Cecil Belk, Ron St. John, Allen Porter, Ronald Porter, Alvin Porter, Charles Slayton. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons and friends of the First Baptist Church, including Paul Cockrell and Edith Browning; William J. Threadgill, Dr, Jerry Stennett, Dr. Lance Busch, Dr. John Whitecar, and Dr. Gregory Childrey and the nurses and staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital; staff of Reeds Jewelry, Golden Triangle Security Alliance, Smith Landscaping Service, and the various board members with whom she served. Memorials may be made to Mark Mitchell Home, div. of Reach Out foster program, P.O. Box 989, Columbus, MS, 39703; First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 829, Columbus, MS, 39703; or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 303, Columbus, MS 39703.
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