Ofidean Virginia Mitchell-Phillips

Ofidean Virginia Mitchell-Phillips, 90, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at her home in Titusville, Florida. She was born on March 13, 1936, in Camden, Arkansas, to Alford and Mary Lou Davis, and from the very beginning her life reflected strength, grace, and a deep sense of purpose.

Virginia spent much of her life in Oregon, where the home she cherished for 45 years became a place of love, welcome, and lasting memories. In 2024, she moved to Titusville to be closer to her daughter, carrying with her the same warmth and spirit that had long blessed everyone around her.

A woman of deep compassion, vision, and unwavering faith, Virginia was a trailblazer whose life was devoted to uplifting others. She founded Women, Men and Youth of Purpose International and co-founded Give Us This Day, Inc., an adoption agency, family counseling center, and model for the long-term placement of foster children through Extended Family Homes. She also served as Executive Director of One Church One Child Oregon and later as Executive Director of the Family and Children’s Services Division in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she became the first African American to hold a position within the organization and helped restore the program with wisdom, dedication, and care.

Virginia also broke barriers in academia as the first Black professor at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. During her tenure, she developed a highly regarded program that enriched students’ lives through cross-cultural living experiences and encouraged deeper understanding among people of different racial backgrounds. She also taught at Sonoma State College in Rohnert Park, California, and Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, leaving a lasting impression on many whose lives she touched.

In 1969, while raising eight young children with her first husband, Virginia helped establish a Head Start child development program for children under the age of five, opening doors of opportunity for families and giving young children a strong beginning before kindergarten—a beautiful legacy that continues to serve others today.

Her life of service and excellence was recognized through many awards and honors, including the Jefferson Award for community service, the White Rose Award, the Clara M. Hale Humanitarian Award from the National Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Rosa Parks Award, the Professional Women of the Year Award, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

As a lifelong advocate for education, healing, and empowerment, Virginia brought years of professional experience in education, management, consultation, counseling, team building, and administration. She was also a motivational speaker and prolific author who wrote newspaper columns and 25 books devoted to prayer, children, family, wholeness, faith, and inspiration. Through both her spoken and written words, she encouraged, strengthened, and inspired countless lives. In addition, she wrote instructional and educational manuals.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Alford and Mary Davis; her husband of 30 years, Joshua Phillips; her first husband, LeRoy Mitchell; her siblings, Claudia Mae Davis, Beulah Mae Davis, Tommie Lee Davis, and Elmer Lee Davis; and her daughter, Jennifer (Phillips) Ray.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Gregory Mitchell (Theresa), Rondahl Mitchell, Cathy Parker (Brent), Linda Mitchell-Duncan (Sherman), Sharon Renée Mitchell, Brian Mitchell, Kimberly Lawson, Kenneth Mitchell (Marka), and Veda Brown-Phillips; 36 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; spiritual sons and daughters; and a host of extended family and dear friends.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Saint Francis Reflections team for the gentle care, kindness, and support they provided to Virginia and her loved ones during her final days.

A Celebration of Life honoring Virginia will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 10 am at Life Change Church, 3635 N. Williams Ave., Portland, Oregon.

Private interment will be at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

In honor of her life and legacy, donations may be made to Women, Men and Youth of Purpose International by visiting their website https://wmyopi.com/ or by mailing a check to Women, Men and Youth of Purpose International, P.O. Box 11063, Portland, OR 97211.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (her favorite scripture)