Azalean D. Mitchell

“SERVANT OF GOD, WELL DONE,”

Proverbs 31:10-31 is pretty much a summation of the life and legacy of Mother Azalean Dunning-Mitchell, a loving, faithful and true child of The Most High God. “One who could and would endure hardness as a good soldier.” (2nd Timothy 2:3)

Born March 1, 1918 and journeyed on to meet her Savior June 7, 2019. She was born in Marengo County, Alabama, the seventh of eight children, to Willis and Alice Dunning. She was subsequently reared by Mattie Dunning in Dixon Mills, Alabama, whom she also called “Mama”. Her early religious life was centered around her affiliation with the Rock Babylon Baptist Church where she was baptized and served faithfully.

Her early education was received in the environs of Marengo County and later, Thomasville, Alabama in Clark County. While in Thomasville, she attended and graduated from Thomasville Normal & Industrial High School in May of 1941. She later met and married the love of her life, Elijah Mitchell. To this union was born seven children: Bessie, Elijah, Jr., Mildred, Geraldine, Patricia, Larry, and Jacqueline.

During the early years of her adult life, she heard the revelation of the name of Jesus as, taught by Bishop David Washington and Bishop W.T. Phillips. She dearly embraced this revelation, baptized in water and was united with the Allenville A.O.H. Church under the pastorate of Bishop Washington. Subsequently, she was “fire baptized” and filled with “The Holy Ghost”. She remained steadfast, unmovable and obedient with Allenville Church, under the pastorate of Elder E.W. Cox and Bishop Richard Curtis, Sr. She continued serving in many capacities in the church as: Contributor to “The Mouthpiece”, the official magazine of the A.O.H. Church, a Sunday School scholar, faithful choir member, usher, a Mother, member of the Pastor’s Aide, local Layman worker as well as chairwoman of various committees and fund raising programs, etc.. Because of her wisdom, compassion, piety and faithful work for the cause of Christ, she was eventually appointed to the Mother’s Board of her church.

Mother Mitchell was not a lazy woman. She served as secretary and cashier for her husband’s service station on Engine Street, now known as Main Street in Prichard, Alabama. She also worked for the following companies: Zimilich The Florist, International Paper Co. and several other businesses.

Further work with the A.O.H. church includes, District Layman Worker, National Layman worker, where she worked with other national officers: Mother Virginia Johnson and Mother Louise Whatley of Markham, Illinois, Sister Theresa Standifer of Memphis, Tennessee, Sister Rosa Lee Gullett and Brother Eugene Morgan of Mobile, Alabama. She toiled hard and long to gain the proper recognition that she felt the laymen of the church deserves. Because of the way in which Mother Mitchell carried herself, her dedication to her tasks, Christian conduct and saintly dress, she was much admired by many and will be missed by many.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elijah E. Mitchell, Sr., and four daughters: Jacqueline Mitchell, Patricia A. Pendleton, Bessie L. Lynch and Mildred Mitchell.

Mother Mitchell leaves to cherish lots of wonderful and amazing memories of her life. Two loving and devoted sons, Elijah E. Mitchell, Jr. (Essie) Oakland, CA, and Larry D. Mitchell (Grellie), Prichard, AL, one devoted and loving daughter, Geri Mitchell, Prichard, AL, and a devoted and loving God daughter, Bonita Milton who was God-sent, faithfully assisting in her home and facility care to which she was periodically admitted. She will be missed by her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends near and afar. Also, she will be solely missed by her four other God sent sisters in Christ who faithfully assisted in her homecare 24/7: Hattie Knight, Toyal Olive and Ada Black (deceased)

Service is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Allenville AOH Church of God, 2930 Whistler Street, Whistler, AL 36612 Time 10:00 a.m., Funeral Hour 11:00 a.m.