Jean Guyer Crouser Mitchell

January 16, 1929 - January 18, 2024

Cary, North Carolina - Jean C. Mitchell, 95, of Vickie Drive in Cary, NC, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024 in her home where she was being cared for by family. Jean was born January 16, 1929 in Waynesville, NC. She was the daughter of the late Jess Charles Crouser and Ava Taylor Guyer.

Jean graduated from Waynesville Township High School in Waynesville, NC in 1947. She attended the Women's College of the University of North Carolina School in Greensboro, NC and then the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC, where she graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1950. Jean was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

After graduating Jean taught at Washington High School in Washington, NC and met her future husband, Thomas Wayne Mitchell of Roseboro, NC, who also graduated from UNC. They married on August 9, 1952 in Waynesville and moved to Kinston, NC, where she was a schoolteacher at Grainger High School and he was a pharmacist at College Street Pharmacy. Later they moved to La Grange, NC and opened La Grange Pharmacy, before moving and settling in Cary, NC where they owned and operated Mitchell's Pharmacy for 38 years from 1956-1994. They were members of the First United Methodist Church of Cary since moving to Cary in 1956.

Cary only had a population of 2500 people when they first arrived and had few organized clubs or activities. Jean was very active in the church and community and was instrumental in forming and supporting functions that included being the Church Circle Chairman, President of Russell Hills Flower and Garden Club, sponsoring a Cary Christmas Open House Tour and Juried Flower Show, President and Constitution writer of Cary Jr. Women's Club who started the Cary Public Library, P.T.A. member in the local schools, and Couple and Girls Bridge Clubs.

Jean's favorite pastimes were antiquing and gardening. In the early 1980's, she started collecting and selling antiques in the pharmacy, where the store became as well known for its vast collection of antiques and collectibles as it did for being the local pharmacy. Jean volunteered for many years at the NCSU JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC, where she honed her gardening skills and created a beautiful garden at her home in Cary that was visited and admired by many.

Jean is survived by son Thomas Wayne Mitchell, Jr, his partner, Jerry and grandsons Cy and Michael; son Sidney Beddingfield Mitchell, his wife, Renee and granddaughters, Victoria and Caroline. She is also survived by nieces Ava Suzanne Terrell and Elizabeth Metcalfe; nephew Charles Metcalfe; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Thomas Wayne Mitchell; her twin sons, James Taylor Mitchell and Jess Crouser Mitchell; son Samuel Joseph Guyer Mitchell; brother Jess Charles Crouser, Jr., and sister Mary Metcalfe Kaylor.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at 12:00pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511. Visitation with the family will immediately follow at Brown-Wynne.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a contribution in Jean's honor may do so to the First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 South Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 or to the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University Campus Box 7522 Raleigh, NC 27695-7522 or online: jcra.ncsu.edu.

Condolences to the family at BrownWynneCary.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald Sun on Jan. 21, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Mitchell

Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.

6 Entries

Cindy and Garrie

April 5, 2025

Jean was an angel in disguise. I was a new young mother in 1972 and my husband and I were at NC State, he as a student and I worked in the English Department. Our baby had the requisite illnesses babies get, ear aches, etc. I was also had migraine headaches. Mr. Mitchell very kindly allowed us to "charge" medicines. When our second child came along I was at home one day and I had a terrible migraine. My husband had a new job at Wachovia all the way in Cameron Village, we had one car and I was out of my headache medicine! I called to order it, for my husband to pick up after work. Mrs. Mitchell, realizing I would be without it all day, insisted on delivering it to our home on Walker Street! When I opened my door to her, barely able to see her in the bright light, she said something to me that I will always cherish the treasure the memory of. "Oh, Cindy, do you need my help with the girls?" I thanked her profusely. But I knew she had much to do and assured her that I could manage. Her kindness was just overwhelming, as was her husband's whenever our paths crossed. Bless them both, now surely reunited where they so deserved to be.

Lynn Anderson Kerr

January 22, 2024

I loved visiting the pharmacy and looking at all of Mrs. Mitchell´s antiques. She was always a delight to chat with. I know my parents, Frank and Carol Anderson were very fond of both Jean and Wayne.
Sending love and comfort to all who loved her.

Kathryn Wall at the JC Raulston Arboretum

January 22, 2024

Jean was a wonderful volunteer who devoted her passion to gardening as a volunteer and member at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Here she is pictured at the annual plant giveaway.

Angie Smith Vess

January 21, 2024

God bless you sweet folks in your loss of Mrs. Mitchell. She was a very smart, sweet, and kind lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Angie Smith Vess

Barbara Molina

January 21, 2024

Oh so many sweet memories with my sweet, generous Aunt Jean. Thanks for loving me and my family.

Brad Emerson

January 21, 2024

Great growing up in the early years with the fond memories of playing at the Mitchell's house and going to school with Sam. Jean and my mom were golfers that loved the outdoors walking the fairways and their conversations made them very happy. Prayers for the family and peace of heart and mind.

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