Vinie "Marie" Mitchell

Marie Mitchell was a beautiful soul and full of joy for life. She was loving, playful and silly, and she always made others laugh and smile. Marie loved her Lord and Savior and her church, she loved her friends and neighbors, and she loved dearly her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Marie had a generous heart, and she and her husband Bob always quietly helped people in need.

Vinie Marie Mitchell was born on November 1, 1924 in Seabrook, TX, the daughter of Ulis and Mabel Henry. She had two brothers, Harold and Homer, and a sister Iva Mae. Marie idolized her dad Ulis and especially loved when he entertained the family with his fiddle. The Henry family lived in Seabrook and later in Alvin, TX. There a tornado destroyed their home when Marie was a young child; the family frantically searched and called for “little Marie.” Miraculously, they found her safely lying in a ditch.

During World War 2, Marie had a job “stamping out gaskets,” which she proudly held as her contribution to the war. Later, Marie became a long distance telephone operator for Bell South. She loved her job and worked there until the mid-1950s.

The most important day of Marie’s life was when she heard and obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized at the 26th and North Shepherd Church. Her daughter Sharon was 9 and her son David was 3 years old. On that day, Marie memorized the Lord’s Prayer; she loved reading the word of God, and she continued to memorize scriptures throughout her life, chapters at a time. Even when her Alzheimer’s disease began to progress and some memories began to fade, Marie could still quote chapters from the Bible with precision.

It was at that church in The Heights that Marie would meet and marry Douglas Roland, a good Christian man who loved Marie, Sharon, and David. Douglas built a lovely home in Houston for his new family, and Douglas and Marie enjoyed four happy years’ together, hunting and fishing, enjoying family time, and playing games with good friends. Tragically, a sudden heart attack took Douglas’ life in 1960; he was in his late 30s.

Two years later, friends of Douglas introduced Marie to Bobby Gene Mitchell. They married and enjoyed 51 years of marriage, fishing and hunting. Marie and Bob became close friends with Edith and J.W. Watson early in their marriage. They all enjoyed many fishing trips together, and Edith and Marie enjoyed many overnight parties when the guys were off hunting.

Marie was a member of the Southside Church of Christ for more than 40 years. She dearly loved her Christian family there, the preaching, and the singing. And Marie told nearly everyone she met about Jesus. Her grandchildren always knew that if they had to wait in line at a store, everyone in it would be invited to her church. Marie would bring a car full of children to her church’s Sunday school or vacation Bible school. On those trips to church, her grandkids remember Grandma Mitchell would help them memorize scriptures. At stoplights, she would tap the brakes to the “books of the Bible” song. Marie’s niece Sandy Miles once wrote and thanked Marie – that Marie was the only one who taught her about Jesus as a child.

Marie loved her grandchildren and made life feel magical. She loved having Easter egg hunts for her grandkids and neighbors. In her 60s, Marie would do cartwheels, ride roller coasters, and laugh like crazy on Disney rides with her grandkids. For her 80th birthday she fearlessly joined the kids jumping on a trampoline and loved every minute of it. Marie also had a special gift with animals that kids loved; her dog Jody could count – by barking the number of fingers she held up. She even progressed to having her dog add two plus three fingers. Grandchildren stood amazed and still brag about it to this day.

Marie loved God’s creation. She loved animals – she rescued stray cats and dogs, she talked to the birds and the squirrels, and often fed them by hand, with her grandchildren watching in awe. She also loved the beauty of nature -- the gulf waters, the outdoors, the Texas forest, seashells. She loved hunting and fishing and could cook amazing dinners. Marie was a champion creole gumbo maker; her daughter is still attempting to duplicate her recipe.

Marie loved her neighbors as if they were family. Neighbors Leo and Tony Balderaz and their children stayed close during the years, sharing meals and holidays; Tony and Marie shared a special friendship. The Banda family looked after Bob and Marie as if they were their own grandparents, inviting them to all of their fun birthday parties and celebrations.

Marie had a humble nature and loved all people without pretense, and people adored Marie. She shared many Sunday lunches with her close friend Hazel Broderick. Gloria Wilson held a special place in Marie’s life, as a friend for more 60 years. And Marie and her sister Iva Mae were close, loving sisters.

Sadly, Marie suffered from Alzheimer’s for almost twenty years. During this time, friends, family, and neighbors cared for and looked after Marie and Bob in so many beautiful, Christ likeways. For the past five years, Marie lived at Sendera Ranch assisted living of Magnolia, TX. She was surrounded by compassionate and loving caregivers like Tammy, Angela, Crystal, and Jill, who all loved Marie. Marie’s family is indebted to them for all the concern, love, and care they gave Marie. The family also expresses their appreciation for the attentive, loving care from the nurses at Hospice Plus and Seasons.

It is with sadness that Marie’s family says goodbye to such a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, neighbor, and child of God. But we all rejoice at the promise that our sweet Marie is rejoicing in heaven, talking with, singing and praising her God and her Jesus.

The family will receive friends Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11:00 am at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. Services to follow at 12:30 pm. Interment at Forest Park East Cemetery.