Helen S. Mitchell

Helen Schutt Mitchell, age 85, passed away June 8, 2016 in Newport News, VA. Helen was well known by her coworkers, family, and friends as "Piggy". However, her grandchildren lovingly referred to her as "Pibby". She was born in Nashville to the late Clem and Callie Mae Schutt. While attending North High School, she met and fell in love with Fred T. “Tony” Mitchell. They married on Aug 23, 1950 in Nashville. After Tony returned from the Korean War, Diane Marie was born in 1954. Diane’s three children became the focus of Helen’s life for almost three decades. While Diane and her husband traveled around the country with the Air Force, Helen would fly to wherever the military took them to visit. After Tony’s passing in 1986, Helen remained in Nashville and never remarried. She worked in accounting at United Methodist Publishing House for 50 years and retired in 1993, but then returned part-time until 2008. She also worked as a Castner Knotts sales clerk at the former Harding Mall. Helen was active for many years in planning her annual North High School. In her 60s, she danced her way through life with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. She was also an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church for a number of years. While listening to WAMB in 2004, Helen heard long-time Nashville radio host, Robert (Bob) Sticht and called him on his show. Bob and Helen became very close, developing a loving relationship and both became members of Brentwood United Methodist Church. After Bob’s passing in 2012, Helen moved to Virginia. She will be most remembered for her infectious laugh, a Southern accent you could cut with a knife, and her love of music and dance. Helen is survived by her daughter, Diane (Steve) Helveston; grandchildren, Matthew Helveston, John (Liz) Helveston, Julie (Matthew) Martin, great-grandchild, Connor Martin; and siblings, George “Brother” Schutt, Peggy Duty, Anna “Ducky” Sneed, Virginia “Kitty” Wilson. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, June 20 at Brentwood United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be made at www.mountolivet.com