Syrene Duncan "Sy" Mitchell

Syrene "Sy" Duncan Mitchell was born on December 11, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Earl Douglass and Mary Magdalene Duncan Mitchell. Surrounded by his loving family, Syrene entered eternal rest on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in Dallas, Texas.
The sixth of seven children, Syrene was raised in a home grounded in faith, scholarship, and service. He established his relationship with Jesus Christ at an early age. His upbringing, rooted in both Baptist and Methodist traditions, instilled in him a lifelong reverence for learning, purpose, and the power of community. Syrene attended both Baptist and Methodist churches, as his mother was the daughter of a Baptist minister and his father was raised in the Catholic and Methodist faiths.
A proud graduate of George Washington Carver Senior High School (Class of 1961), Syrene began his academic journey at Dillard University before being called to serve his country. Drafted into the United States Army in 1965, he completed his tour of duty with honor as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed in the Dominican Republic, where he served his entire tour. His commitment to excellence and service remained a hallmark of his life. Following his honorable discharge in 1967, Sy - affectionately known to many - pursued higher education with vigor, earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree in mathematics from Southern University and A&M College - an achievement that reflected his deep intellect and relentless determination.
That same year, Syrene relocated to Dallas, Texas, where his analytical brilliance quickly drew the attention of major employers. Recruited by both Texas Instruments and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Syrene chose a life of public service - a decision that would shape an extraordinary 35-year career. A pioneer in his field, Sy broke barriers when, in 1984, he became the first African American selected to work in the GAO's European Office. He and his family lived in Europe from 1984 to 1988. During his tenure abroad, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, conducting high-level financial and program audits of U.S.-funded initiatives. Sy's work included audits of programs and countries receiving funds from the United States - some at the request of members of Congress and others commissioned by the U.S. Comptroller General. His work not only informed key congressional decisions but also strengthened accountability and transparency in international development.
Upon retiring from the GAO in 2023, Syrene turned his passion for knowledge into a legacy of education. He served as a mathematics professor at several respected institutions, including Strayer University, Paul Quinn College, and Dallas College's Eastfield Campus, among others. Sy also taught mathematics as an adjunct professor at several other Dallas College campuses, including Richland, Brookhaven, and El Centro. In a lasting act of generosity and dedication to the next generation - and as an HBCU graduate - Syrene donated his personal collection of more than 300 mathematics volumes, ranging from foundational to advanced works, to the library of Southern University at New Orleans, ensuring that future scholars could build upon the foundation he so deeply valued.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Syrene later joined his beloved wife, Verlene Mitchell, in 2005 in managing their family business, Verl's Creation Florist, where his precision and creativity found new expression. Together, they transformed their shop into a thriving enterprise serving individuals, churches, and organizations throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area, partnering with major networks such as 1-800-Flowers, BloomNation, FTD, Teleflora, and BloomNet. Through every stage of his life - from soldier to scholar, from government leader to educator and entrepreneur - Syrene "Sy" Duncan Mitchell exemplified integrity, intellect, and quiet excellence. His life's work was a testament to the belief that service, when done with purpose and humility, can leave an enduring mark on both people and institutions.
He will be remembered not only for what he achieved but for the way he inspired others to reach higher, think deeper, and serve selflessly.
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