Haley Christiana Mitchell

Mitchell Haley Christiana Mitchell, 13, Elizabeth City, N.C., died on Tuesday evening, October 26, 2010, at Children's Hospital of the King Daughters in Norfolk. Born in Elizabeth City, N.C., she was the daughter of Jeff Mitchell and Valerie Sword Mitchell of the residence. She was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, H.T. Sword, and paternal grandmother, Frances Mitchell. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Kelsie Mitchell; maternal grandmother, Sandy Honaker and husband, Lanny, of Jonesborough, Tenn.; paternal grandfather, Bill Mitchell of Gatesville, N.C.; uncle, Greg Mitchell and wife, Lisa, of Durham, N.C.; aunt, Belinda Vanderlip and husband, Jason, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and cousins, Justin and Sarah Mitchell and Dylan Vanderlip. She made a lasting impression on everyone with whom she came in contact, especially the many nurses, teachers, therapists and special friends who surrounded her with love. While her physical challenges were overwhelming, her positive attitude and spirit more than compensated for them. She touched many lives in her short tenure with her unmistakable lessons of patience, tolerance and happiness under adverse circumstances, leaving lasting impressions on the children of the community. She has been the inspiration for a major fund-raising effort over the last 12 years to raise money for research and ultimately a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The Haley Mitchell Ski-a-thon has contributed almost $400,000 in her honor since 1998 to Families of SMA, the lead organization that funds research and family support services. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. at New Community Church with the Rev. Gene Asbill and the Rev. Mike Gothard officiating. Burial will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 until 7:30 and other times at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, 925 Busse Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 or online at www.fsma.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com. Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, N.C., is in charge of arrangements.