Brenda Mitchell

Brenda Jean Mitchell, loving wife, mother and friend to many, of Springboro, Ohio passed away February 2, 2013 at Southview Hospital. She was born during a blinding snow storm at the family farm on March 5, 1943 in Thompsonville, Illinois to Reuben and Margaret Hughes. After losing her mother at the age of 10, she was blessed to have the wonderful Ermal Hughes enter her life as a second mom which led to her being further blessed as a sophomore in high school with the birth of her first sister - Melanie. Another wonderful sister, Merilee, made her entrance shortly after Brenda's marriage to Carl (although she was present at the wedding via Ermal).

Brenda and Carl met in 1957 through a set up by her cousin and Carl's mother. It didn't last long that time, but after reuniting in 1959, a whirlwind courtship ensued resulting in their marriage on August 20, 1960. Their honeymoon consisted of a cross country trip in a 1955 Plymouth to Gainesville, Fl for Carl to commence his PhD program in Chemistry. While there, the couple welcomed their first child, Marilyn, in 1962. In 1963, the impending birth of their second child prompted a move to the Chicago area for Carl to commence gainful employment. While Carl was moving their furniture into their first home in Downer's Grove,IL Carol arrived down in Southern Illinois where Brenda was staying with Marilyn until the move could be completed. By 1964, the family moved to their second home which was in Riverdale, IL. 1967 brought a move to their first purchased home in Lansing, IL where they lived happily for 7 years. 1974 commenced the family moving many times (Mason, OH 1974-1977; Peotone, IL 1977-1985; Bloomfield Hills, MI 1985-1988) until landing in Springboro, OH where Brenda and Carl began welcoming grandchildren.

Aside from raising her children, Brenda had many outside activities and positions. While in Florida, she worked at the University's medical bookstore where she most enjoyed and took pride in handling the medical equipment purchases. With her children, she was the President of a private kindergarten school, President of the PTO, leader of multiple Girl Scout troops including the Cookie Chairperson for the District, youth leader with many churches as well as Sunday School teacher. At all of her daughters' schools as well as many other schools after their graduations, Brenda tirelessly devoted herself to volunteering in classrooms as a reading specialist as well as an aide for students with developmental disabilities. Not too long ago, Brenda re-engaged herself with her love of teaching by working with individuals learning English as a second language. During her Peotone tenure, she was the Secretary for Peotone United Methodist Church, and in every town in which she ever lived she was always a faithful alto in her church choirs.

After raising her own daughters, Brenda took great pride and relished her role as "Mam" to her 5 grandchildren. As her first grandchild, Heather stole her heart, followed shortly by the birth of Rachel. Both girls spent many hours with Mam allowing them to enjoy all of her book reading to them and lullaby singing she so enjoyed. Kristen was able to experience the unique pleasure of spending an entire week with Mam as she recovered from chicken pox, and it is doubtful Mam ever baked as many cookies or colored as many pictures in a one week period as she did then. The birth of the boys, Hunter and Aaron, brought her new experiences and joys, and while she never learned to throw or catch a ball, she learned how to work a pitching machine.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Carl; 2 Daughters - Marilyn (Douglas) Mitchell-Heusner, Carol (Peter) Ney; 3 Granddaughters - Heather, Rachel, Kristen; 2 Grandsons - Hunter, Aaron; 2 Sisters - Melanie (Steve) Kincaid, Merilee Jackson; and by numerous family and friends.

Funeral service will be Friday, February 8, 2013 at 11:00 am at Anderson Funeral Homes (1357 East Second Street, Franklin, Ohio). Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Anderson Funeral Homes on Thursday evening. Burial will be in Benton, IL at a later date. To share a memory in the family guest book, please visit www.anderson-fh.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Franklin First United Methodist Church or the DSAGC - Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.