Joan Artis Mitchell

Cleopatra Artis Kerr in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was the older of two daughters born to

Cleopatra. Joan's early childhood was spent in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joan was a fun

loving, energetic child. She loved jumping rope and playing marbles. She attended St.

Monica's Elementary School along with her future husband, George. She was an exceptional

student with a keen sense of righteousness and determination. One of her mother's memorable

stories involved Joan having arrived at school early to be the first person in line. Joan endured

other students pushing and pulling her and tearing her clothes but never relinquishing her place

in line. She was determined to be first! Joan went on to graduate from Washington High School

as salutatorian in 1951. Joan was awarded a full academic scholarship to Marywood College in

Scranton, Pennsylvania. Joan married her high school sweetheart George Mitchell on November

27, 1952.

They settled in Cincinnati, Ohio where they started a family that produced four daughters: Gail,

Cecilia, Angela and Baby Joan. Joan was a devoted wife and mother and homemaker. She ran

the household on a tight budget. She learned to stretch a dollar especially well in a house full of

young girls. In 1968, the young family packed up their new Buick station wagon and moved to Los

Angeles, California and settled in the city of Carson. Joan finished her education at Harbor College,

majoring in Early Childhood Development. After her youngest child entered high school, Joan had

a lot more freedom. One day, Joan ventured into the new Carson Mall and came away with a new

part time job! During her twenty-two years in Customer Service at Sears, she was well liked and

well known for her beautiful smile and kind nature. After her retirement, Joan and her husband spent

time traveling to the 1984 Olympics, the World's Fair in New Orleans, and all across the United States.

Joan and George were married for 50 years. Joan's hospitality was extended to everyone who

entered her home. She was an amazing cook who made dinner for her family every Sunday and

worked magic in the kitchen. She made the best fried chicken on the plane. She passed down her

generosity, kindness, resourcefulness, and love of food to the four daughters whom she cherished.

Joan Artis Mitchell will live forever in the hearts of her family. She leaves behind her daughters,

Gail, Cecilia, Angela, and Joan and son-in-law Steve; seven grandchildren: Mitchell, Erin, Evan, Martine,

Lauren, Raquelle, and Zaria; her sister Violet Kerr, her niece Ingrid Barbee and husband Ricky, their

daughters Lexus and Layla; Aunt Margaret Turnbow; first cousins Xavier Artis and sister Nicki, Althea

Artis, Marshall Johns, ChaRon Year by and a host of other relatives and friends.