Iola Mitchell

Iola Mitchell, affectionately known as "Nana" and "Bett," peacefully departed this life on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Robbinsville, NJ, at the home of her daughter Brigite. She was born on January 9, 1929, in Claysburg, PA, to the late Eldora Smith and Frederick Westbrook. She grew up in Carthage, Arkansas, later relocating to Pittsburg, California, and was educated in the Pittsburg public school system.
Nana married a handsome soldier, and the love of her life, LD Mitchell "Papa," and he happily became father to her two children, Larry and Sandra Lawson, whom she was blessed with from a previous marriage.
Nana was a proud and committed military wife. She and "Mitchell" as she came to call him, and the children would travel to Anchorage, Alaska. Once in Alaska, they would expand their family to include a daughter Brigite, and a son, Ronnie. Nana would always say "We left with two and came back with four!"
Nana and Mitchell would eventually travel to White Sands Missile Range, NM, and Fort Monmouth, NJ, before settling in Neptune, NJ. Relative to her early work life, Nana worked for the Dunes Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Subsequently, she would work for many years at Buck Engineering in Wall Township, NJ, where she made many lifelong friends. Her "Buck" job, as she called it, allowed her to establish and maintain a lifetime of dedicated relationships with extended family members known as: Cuzzin' Macy's Cuzzin' Lord and Taylor's and Cuzzin' Nordstroms! Nana loved to dress and loved beautiful clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. She was always impeccably dressed when attending affairs with Mitchell. All who knew her considered her the original "Glam-Ma."
Nana was a proud member of her church family at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, NJ and attended faithfully until precluded by her health. She did, however, continue to watch services via live stream and always looked forward to the communion visits by her Pastor and church family.
Nana was known to be one "tough cookie." She was strong-willed and determined on one side; but had a loving, generous, and kind heart on the other. Her home and kitchen were always open to all, no matter the day or hour. She always had a pot of something delicious and inviting stewing in the kitchen. The kitchen was like the United Nations, everyone who entered took a place at the table to sit, eat, talk, laugh, and tell "fish stories about the one that got away." Many warm and lasting memories were created right there at Nana's table.
Nana was predeceased by her loving husband L.D. Mitchell, son Larry Lawson, mother Eldora Smith, father Frederick Westbrook and five brothers and one sister.
Leaving to cherish her precious memory are two daughters, Sandra Faye Davis and Brigite Mitchell Morton (Cleferd); a son, Ronald D. Mitchell (Malissa); six grandchildren, Lorenzo Lawson (Clair), Sean Lawson (Shauron), Sajata Mickens, Aja Monchery, Brittany Mitchell, and Zachary Mitchell; several great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and an extended family of special friends and loved ones.
As we say goodbye to this remarkable woman, we take comfort in the memories we shared. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will forever live on in our hearts.