Josephine Marie Mitchell

born on June 15, 1924 in Charlottesville, VA.

“Jo” as she was fondly known to everyone, departed this life peacefully surrounded by her devoted

family at her residence in Upper Marlboro, MD on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Jo accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and regularly attended Sunday School and service with her

three siblings at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. There she and her sister Arlene sang in the church

choir. As a child and an adult, she was active in many church activities and performances. Jo later

attended Christian Reform Church in Washington D.C. and continued to volunteer.

After graduating from high school in Charlottesville, VA, Jo attended the first HBCU in West Virginia,

Storer College. She graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Jo

excelled academically and socially. While at Storer, she was a member of the cheerleading squad and

crowned Homecoming Queen. Jo met her future husband on campus, a football player, Reginald

Harrison Mitchell. They married in 1951. Their union was blessed with two children, Deborah Marie and

Reginald Harrison, II.

After graduation, Jo moved to Washington D.C. to pursue her career working in the federal and district

government. She worked as a secretary, an administrative assistant and a budget analyst at the State

Department.

Jo was known for her kind and welcoming spirit, her hearty laugh and generous nature. She loved to

prepare delicious meals for her family while listening to Motown and Jazz music. Her favorite artists

included Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. Jo enjoyed a day at the casino, family

vacations and picnics. She always loved looking forward to visiting her sister-in-law and brother-in-law

at their beach house on Oyster Harbor. Her favorite hobby was tending to her beautiful flower garden.

The neighbors were in awe of her green thumb. Jo and her husband were quite active in civil rights,

community and civic affairs. They were active members of the Lamond Riggs Civic Association and

Citizens Aware. There Jo served as secretary and treasurer for several years.

After 30 years of government service, she retired to relax, enjoy her family, and do a little volunteer

work at the neighborhood school and church. Jo became a member of the Red Hat Society sponsored

by her loving niece Francis. The activities, fellowship and travel brought her a great deal of joy.

Jo was a loving, attentive, caring and devoted wife and mother, grandmother and great- grandmother.

We were favored by God with her presence every day. A Beautiful 100 Years! A blessed and full life.

Jo will forever be remembered by her daughter Deborah Mitchell Seldon, son Reginald Harrison

Mitchell, grandson Ronald Harrison Seldon (Dionne), bonus granddaughter Che Brown, great-grandson

Ryan Mitchell Seldon, great-granddaughter Alexis Melissa Seldon, bonus great-granddaughter Laila

Marie DeShields, bonus great-granddaughter Phoenyx Brown, and a host of nieces and nephews. She

was preceded in death by her husband Reginald H. Mitchell Sr, her sister Arlene Jones Scott and two

brothers, Robert Jones and James Jones.

A memorial service for Josephine will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722.