Brenda Geraldine Mitchell

Brenda “Sammie” Geraldine Mitchell, of Washington, D.C., passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 7, 2025. She was born August 27, 1950 to the late Raymond and Artie Mitchell of Northeast Washington. She started her Christian journey at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Washington, DC. A graduate of McKinley Technology High School, Brenda trained as a dancer and actress at Parkview School of Ballet and Federal City College of Theatrical Arts. Early theater productions with the Howard University Drama Department, D.C. Black Repertory Theater, and Back Alley Theater prepared her for a move to Los Angeles, California where she began her career as an actress and dancer.

Some of her many theater credits include Melba in “The Me Nobody Knows,” Consuelo in “West Side Story,” The Eves and Jane in “Three Faces of Eve,”Mars Attacks,” “Mu’Dear in “Black Girl,” and Ash in “Zooman and the Sign.” Some of her dance credits include “Your Arms Too Short to Box With God,” “The New Cotton Club Revue,” and “All Night Strut.” Brenda’s film credits include “American Hot Wax,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “FM.” Upon her return to Washington, D.C. she continued to choreograph

Before an accident sidelined her, Brenda was an avid skier and active with Black Ski, Inc. She continued her love of dancing after the accident choreographing musical and theater productions and spent summers in Maine at Camp Waziyatah for over twenty years, directing and choreographing productions for the campers. Brenda also attended Nativity Catholic Church where she volunteered for children’s creative activities by directing most of the Christmas plays and pageants, where she also taught dance. She also volunteered at hospitals in the Washington, DC area.

Brenda is survived by an older sister Raymie Malloy, a brother-in-law, Tyrone Malloy of Atlanta, GA, and a younger brother, Kurt E. Mitchell also of Atlanta, GA.; two nieces, Krista Cobb and Aaliyah Thacker; three nephews, Jamal D. Malloy, Jehcoby Westberry and Nicholas E. Mitchell; three grandnieces, Peyton Cobb and Daejanay Todd, Kelani Williams; five grandnephews, Joseph Crawford, Preston Crawford, Nicholas "NJ" Mitchell, Jr., Cameron Mitchell and Ashton Williams; Three Sister/Cousins, Frankie McCurdy (Jesse), Tamara Beamer (Philip) and Michelle Billups (Courtney). A host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation for Brenda will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Nativity Catholic Church, 6001 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20011, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 AM.