Jean Eleanor Alexander Mitchell

Jean Eleanor Alexander Mitchell, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Palmetto Baptist Parkridge Hospital. She was 93 years young.

Jean was born in Speedwell, Tennessee, on December 4, 1920. She was the eldest child of Hugh and Leota Alexander and sister of the late Leroy Alexander. She is survived by her sister, Sarah Beth Alexander Russell, also of Speedwell, Tennessee.

Jean was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Lt. Colonel (ret) Earl Wayne ‘Buddy’ Mitchell of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is survived by her two sons: Wayne A. ‘Skip’ Mitchell and wife, Laura, of Columbia; and Randall Allen ‘Randy’ Mitchell and wife, Lorraine, of Atlanta. She is the grandmother of four grandchildren: Timothy Mitchell and wife, Lauren, of Columbia; Lauren Mitchell Damouni and husband, John, of Roswell, Georgia; Lindsey Mitchell of Washington, DC; and Kelli Mitchell, of Atlanta. She is the great-grandmother of Rowen Mitchell and ‘soon to be’ second great grand-daughter. She is the former mother-in-law of Patricia Walker Mitchell of Lexington.

Jean graduated from Nursing School at St. Mary’s Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee, and served with the Red Cross as a nurse in Honolulu during World War II. She would laugh when reflecting that she was too short to be commissioned into active service by the Army. It was in Hawaii where she met and fell in love with Buddy. They traveled the world together with Buddy’s Army career and finally settled in Columbia, where they lived out a long and happy life. Throughout her extensive nursing career, Jean worked with virtually all avenues of nursing, from surgical to psychiatric. She is retired from the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute, South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

We will always remember Jean’s happiness, her positive outlook, her kindness, and her loving and giving spirit. We will also fondly remember Jean’s affection for all four legged creatures. Never did a sad, furry face pass Jean’s door that she did not invite that face in and feed and nurture it. Her precious cat, Claudia, will be living with her son, Skip. In a fitting tribute to Jean, the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kitten/Cat Fund at Wescott Acres Pet Rescue, 6005 Wescott Road, Columbia, SC, 29212.

Family and friends will come together to remember and celebrate Jean’s life from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 17, at Dunbar Funeral Home, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo. The Memorial Service will follow at 12:30 pm; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chaplain, Reverend Eric Skidmore will preside. The family has asked Sebrena Matthews to share anecdotes and memories about her special friend, Jean. Dave Tafaoa will perform Jeans’s favorite song, and Juanita Wright will play her favorite spiritual song on piano.

Graveside services will be held immediately following the memorial at Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.