Ruby Janell Mitchell

Ruby Janell Mitchell
February 19, 1929 – March 4, 2025
On March 4th, the family of Ruby Janell Mitchell bid a sad goodbye to our Mom, Nana, Aunt and dear friend.
Janell was born and raised on a small farm in Carlisle County, Kentucky. Her dad raised crops and hogs, and word was that he made the best country ham in the county. Her mom tended their garden, the chickens and their home. She grew up loved and busy, attending school in nearby Milburn, KY where she met the love of her life, Thomas Joel Mitchell.
After high school, Janell studied music at Murray State Teachers' College (now Murray State University). She became a school teacher and taught until Thomas - drawn by the opportunities in Detroit, Michigan - took a position at Ford Motor Company, and asked her to marry him and move north.
Janell and Thomas married on September 19, 1949. Leaving her Kentucky homestead was difficult, and the couple made frequent trips "back home." Their marriage was a loving partnership and an amazing role model for others. They treated each other with kindness, respect, humor and love. Over 63 years, they raised their family (in Allen Park), lived with joy, and retired to homes in both Canadian Lakes (Mecosta, Michigan) and Sun 'N Lakes (Sebring, Florida). Janell loved to travel - Thomas used to say that she was most happy when "the wheels were turning." They explored the world in retirement including trips to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and many cruises with dear friends.
Janell was often amazed at the dramatic changes in the world during her lifetime. As a little girl, she grew up in a house with no electricity or running water – both added while she was away at college. She watched her brother, Hubert, leave and return (safely) from WWII, she prayed as her husband was drafted for Korea (and denied due to a hearing loss), she came through the '60s as a strong feminist, was proud to vote for women in politics, and was dedicated to progressive thinking and ideas her entire life. She would often have energetic conversations about the daily news! She was amazed by technology and enjoyed her Facebook and Pinterest pages. Being able to stream every Spartan basketball game was pretty great, too! Janell enjoyed sports - Spartan basketball and football being her favorites, but she also enjoyed the Lions and was a big Tigers fan.
Late in life, she continued to be a passionate reader, making great use of her local library, an avid cruciverbalist (for the rest of us, that means crossword-puzzle person), and loved drives to see the fall colors. For the last eight years, she lived with Tom and Laurie which gave her great opportunities to visit with her granddaughter Michelle's family, including two of her great grandchildren, and allowed Lea to come home regularly and spend time with Nana.
Janell was a person of deep faith, and we are grateful that she is now with Thomas in eternity. In addition to Thomas, she was preceded in death by her parents Waltham and Edna Clayton of Milburn, KY, her brother Hubert Clayton of Bardwell, KY, and
son-in-law, Bob Henderson, of Fort Collins, CO.
Janell is survived by her son Thomas (Laurie) of Laingsburg, MI, her daughter Patricia Henderson of Fort Collins, CO, her granddaughters Michelle Mitchell Johnson (Anthony), Lea-Janell Mitchell (fiancé, Alan), Nizhoni Henderson (Jeremy Colwick) and Cody Henderson, four great grandchildren (Aurora and Noelle of Laingsburg, Dresden and Blaise of Virginia), and two nephews, Robert Clayton of Clarksville, TN and John Clayton (Kara) of Harriman, TN.
Services will be held at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Laingsburg, on March 15 at 11 a.m. Friends may visit the family at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. Anyone wishing may contribute to the Friends of the Laingsburg Public Library in Janelle's name, 225 East Grand River Rd., Laingsburg, MI 48848.
Online condolences may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.