Mary Jo Mitchell

Mary Jo Mitchell, 88, of Keezletown, Virginia passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at the Harman House of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.
She was born on December 23, 1937 and was a daughter of the late Joseph H. and Pauletta (Horn) Sheets.
Mary Jo earned her Bachelor's from Bridgewater College, Masters from JMU and had additional graduate work at Virginia Tech. She had been a teacher at Andrew Lewis High School, William Byrd High School, Handley High School, Broadway High School, Montevideo High School, Spotswood High School, retired in 1991. She loved staying in contact with many of her former students and took great pride in their accomplishments. She was a faithful member of Otterbein United Methodist Church. She enjoyed working with Art on the farm and in her flower garden and vegetable garden. Mary Jo enjoyed life and was always busy.
Mary Jo was united in marriage on August 2, 1959 to Arthur W. Mitchell.
In addition to her husband she is survived by her brother, Charles B. Sheets & wife Norma; niece, Judy Sheets; nephews Marty Sheets & wife Cindy, and Mike Sheets & wife Patty; sister-in-law, Ellie Downs & husband Doug; and numerous cousins, close friends and neighbors.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 1, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater.
A service celebrating Mary Jo's life will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Otterbein United Methodist Church with Rev. Adam Blagg and Chaplain Carmen Miller officiating.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff of Harman House at VMRC, especially Jennie, Janet, Rosemary, and staff for the wonderful care extended to Mary Jo, and to the numerous friends, neighbors and church family that sent cards, made visits and brought food over the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Otterbein United Methodist Church, music scholarship fund or the Rockingham Educational Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater.