Helen Joe Mitchell "Joey" Carls

1933 - 2023

Helen Joe "Joey" Mitchell Carls, aged 90 years, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2023, surrounded by family. Joey was the daughter of Joseph Clark Mitchell and Helen Vigreaux Mitchell.

She was salutatorian of her class at St. Agnes Academy and attended St. Catharine Junior College in Kentucky. Joey married her high school sweetheart, Henry, and enjoyed a romance that lasted 69 years. She is survived by her husband, Henry, six children: Jim, Patty (Bucky), Joe (Katherine), John (Sandy), Tommy (Raquel) and Cathy (Kent), eight grandchildren and her two sisters, Jackie Albonetti and Patty Averwater.

Joey and Henry remained deeply in love with each other. They shared that love liberally with family and friends. They frequently hosted parties, holiday celebrations and extended family dinners where all were welcome. They made many memories visiting family in New Orleans and Louisville and traveling with friends.

Joey had incredible talent, painting landscapes, writing her memories, sewing linens for a family dinner, clothes to specifically fit her or outfits for her granddaughters' American Girl dolls as well as making games and activities for all her grandchildren. She was resourceful and could create an amazing afternoon of fun out of nothing. Joey was quick-witted, funny, whip smart and enjoyed a good banter with her kids and everyone else. She was an amazing cook and was even written up in the newspaper for her beignets, never met a recipe she couldn't improve and often made ravioli in bulk to share as Christmas gifts.

She was a dedicated member of her Catholic faith community, Church of the Nativity, and spent many mornings laughing and talking with her good friends in the morning mass group. She was a member of Madonna Circle for many years and especially enjoyed decorating for the annual gala and editing the monthly newsletter. After her kids grew up, Joey became a realtor with Century 21 Alliance and attained the Million Dollar Club.

Joey donated her body to the Genesis Program at the Medical Education Research Institute (MERI) in Memphis to continue serving others with her unselfish heart and giving spirit.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Church of the Nativity in Bartlett, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Church of the Nativity specifically to St. Vincent de Paul Nativity Chapter at 5955 St. Elmo Rd. Bartlett, TN 38135 (http://www.nativitybartlett.org) or to the charity of your choice.