Marie was born on June 14, 1925, in Avalon, Georgia, to the late Clarence Monroe Smith and Minnie Mae Shope Smith Brown.
She married Lloyd Ernest Mitchell in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1945, and they shared 76 years of marriage. Together they made their home in Six Mile, South Carolina, where they lived for 68 years.
Marie was a woman of great faith and love for the Lord. She demonstrated her Christlike spirit through her warm hugs, radiant smile, joyful laughter, perseverance, caregiving, and unconditional love for everyone she met.
A devoted homemaker, Marie was also a gardener, farmer, and skilled seamstress. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, macramé, and many other crafts.
She attended the Anderson School for Girls and was largely self-educated. Marie worked for Sangamo Electrical Company in Pickens and West Union for 21 years, where the company manufactured electric transformers, meters, time switches, and capacitors. She served as a supervisor over wiring chases, winding, harnesses, and shipping.
In 1976, Marie was involved in a horrific automobile accident that left her a paraplegic. Doctors told her the accident would drastically shorten her life and estimated a life expectancy of 10 years. With unmatched determination, persevering faith and strength from God, she defeated medical odds more than once. Going on to live a full life, she was able to walk, drive, ride a tricycle, and serve for an additional 50 years.
She was a proud member of ALIVE Wesleyan Church in Central, South Carolina. Marie served the Wesleyan church as church treasurer, was a member of the church board, taught Sunday school, instructed crafts at youth camps, and was known as a faithful prayer warrior.
Throughout her life, Marie witnessed extraordinary changes in American culture and history. She grew up during the Roaring Twenties, survived the Great Depression, she experienced the full span of World War II, from its onset to its conclusion, watched mankind walk on the moon, applauded the fall of the Berlin Wall, lived through the administrations of 18 United States presidents and watched the evolution of technology transform the world around her. As a member of “The Greatest Generation,” Marie exemplified the true meaning of commitment, resilience, and faith.
Marie is survived by her daughter, Martha Mitchell Warden (L.E. “Butch”); four grandchildren: Andrea Warden Pilgrim, James “Jamie” Matthew Warden (Chris), Zandrea Mitchell Pfeiffer (Adam), and Carter Mitchell, (their mother, Susan Mitchell); and eight great-grandchildren: Jason Reese, Abigail Reese Hayes (Matt), McKinney Pilgrim, Shannon Warden, Asher Warden, Keys Pfeiffer, Rivers Pfeiffer, and Brooks Marie Pfeiffer. She is also survived by three step-great-grandchildren: William Alexander Sr. (Rochelle), Vanessa Branson (Tim), and Megan Alexander (Scott Brotherton).
She is further survived by four great-great-grandchildren: Michael, Mathis, Annleigh Marie, and Hudson; and nine step-great-great-grandchildren: Ellie, Alex, MJ, William Jr., Aubrey, Nora, Harper, Hendrix, and Cora Sue.
In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Ernest Mitchell and son Ernest “Ernie” Lloyd Mitchell; brothers, Robert Albert, Grady Lee, Roy Franklin, Jimmie George, and Clarence “Chuck or CH” Henry Smith; sisters, Grace Smith and Hattie Angeline Smith Hill.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Clemson Downs and VIA Hospice for their compassion and excellent care.
Due to inclement weather, services are being moved to Saturday, March 7, 2026. A visitation will be held at Dillard Funerals and Cremation, located at 2402 Gentry Memorial Hwy, Pickens, SC 29671, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during this time.
A memorial service will also be held on March 7, 2026, at Dillard, beginning at 11:00 AM.
Donations may be made to online to VIA Hospice https://www.viagiving.org/one-time-giving
