Althea Elaine Mitchell

With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Althea Elaine Mitchell, a beloved wife, devoted mother, passionate sports fan, and dedicated member of her community. “Elaine” as she was known to many was born on February 10, 1963, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to be a bright light that would shine for many years to come. Unexpectedly, she departed this world on September 4, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished. 

Elaine was a 1981 graduate of Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She later moved to Arkadelphia and attended Henderson State University. While in Arkadelphia she met Chester and the rest was history. They married on June 4, 1984, and the Lord blessed their union with two healthy boys. She started her career as a Life Skill Trainer at the Children’s Colony, now the Arkadelphia Human Development Center. She retired after 25 years of dedicated service as a supervisor. Althea dedicated her life to helping and advocating for those in need. Her caring nature, compassion, and unwavering support touched the hearts of all she encountered. In her spare time she had a newspaper route for the Daily Siftings Herald.

Outside of her professional life, Elaine was an avid Boston Celtics basketball fan, proudly displaying her loyalty to her team. Her charismatic and bubbly personality brought joy to all those around her, earning her the title of the "cool sister" who could always bring a smile to everyone's face.

In her personal life, Elaine was actively involved in ministry alongside her husband, Elder Chester Mitchell, serving as the First Lady of the First Memorial Church of God in Christ in Gurdon, Arkansas. She also served at the Assistant Missionary of the Prescott District under the leadership of Superintendent Leroy Sworn. She spent several hours daily in prayer and reading her bible. Her favorite passage was Psalm 91. Her two sons CJ and Bradley, were the light of her life, and she took great pride in imparting valuable life lessons to them, emphasizing the importance of manners and good behavior. Her home was a sanctuary of love and guidance, where she nurtured her family with love, laughter, and life lessons.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leon Daniels, Sr., her maternal mother, Albertha Young Goodson, her brother, Carl Daniels; and her special friends, Jean Sanders Bonnie Huddleston and Maureen Young. 

Her memory will remain in the hearts of her husband, Elder Chester Mitchell of Arkadelphia; her beloved mother, Robertha Daniels of Pine Bluff; her handsome sons, CJ (Brittney Walker) Mitchell, Jr., of Arkadelphia, and Bradley (April) Mitchell of Dallas; her loving grandchildren, Chestin, Moryah, Cameryn, Carter, Jordan Smith, and Tamera McClure; her sisters, Margaret Goodson of New York, NY, Alteree Woods, Ferdinanda Shepherd, Louise Scales, Tracey (Gerald) Butcher all of Pine Bluff; her brothers, John (Shelia) Young of Charlotte, NC, Leon Daniels, Jr., Gregory Daniels, Edward Daniels, Sr., Isidore (Rita) Daniels all of Pine Bluff, and Eric (Alma) Daniels, Sr., of Jacksonville, AR; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Mitchell; brothers-in-law, J.T. (Brenda) Mitchell, Thurlin Mitchell, and sisters-in-law, Nicole Daniels and Mary McClure. She also leaves a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, her special friends, Sherry McCrae, Ester Mitchell, Pat Utley, Ruby Henry, Margaret Banks, Ruby Moody, Mother Jeanette Watkins and Superintendent Robert Davis, other friends and the First Memorial COGIC family. 

A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 12 noon with Superintendent Robert Davis officiating and Elder James Banks, eulogist. Viewing will take place from noon until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Williams Funeral Home and the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Interment will be in her hometown at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and her memory will forever be cherished by those she touched with her kindness and love. May she rest in peace, knowing that she was a beacon of light and inspiration to all who were privileged to know her.

Pallbearers will be Jason Nelson, Brandon Johnson, Blake Moody, Vernon Moody, Jr., Darrell Middleton, Terrance Norvell, Colby Whitaker, Michael “Moe” Jones, Brice Brown and Da’Waune Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be John Young, Leon Daniels, Jr., Gregory Daniels, Edward Daniels, Sr., Isidore Daniels, Eric Daniels, Thurlin Mitchell and J. T. Mitchell.