Janice G. Mitchell
HOPEWELL—Janice G. Mitchell died Oct. 15, 2009, at Brighter Living Assisted Living.
She was born June 3, 1933, on historic Jamestown Island, to the late Floyd and Vessie Gilchrist. Janice received her public education in Surry County and attended Virginia State College, now University. She later married Willie Mitchell Jr. and shared 47 years. From this union, three children were born, Sandra, Stephen and Susan.
Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Vessie; son, Stephen; husband, Willie; and brother, Floyd.
At an early age, she joined Lebanon Baptist Church, Surry, and later joined Liberty Baptist Church, Waverly.
She was both choir director and musician for more than 50 years and served on the Deaconess Ministry.
Within the community, she served as musician at Pocahontas Temple Baptist Church and various community churches.
Her community and social involvement included the Naomi Chapter of Eastern Star, Friendship Social Club and the Sussex County Retired Teachers Association.
She worked faithfully alongside her husband as the funeral director and musician in their family owned business, Peace Funeral Home. They had one of the first black family owned and operated businesses in Waverly.
Her love for children was exemplified daily when she was employed as a bus driver for Sussex County.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Mitchell Williams of Ettrick and Susan Mitchell-Adams (Vincent) of Fort Worth, Texas; one brother, Ronald Gilchrist (Cathy), Chesterfield; two sisters, Flora G. Johnson (Richard) and Alberta P. Hardy (William), both of Baltimore, Md.; one sister-in-law, Theresa Gilchrist of Surry; three grandchildren, André Williams (Sarah) of Richmond, Vincent Adams II and Sadiyah Adams, both of Fort Worth; four great-grandchildren, Devon Costley-Williams, Isaiah Fuller, Andre Williams Jr. and London Williams; goddaughters, Dr. Annette Patterson, Janice Stringfield and Monique Morgan; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Liberty Baptist Church, Waverly.
Interment will be in Waverly Cemetery.
The family can be contacted at Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 11979 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, or by calling (804) 518-1800.
Peace Bland Funeral Home will be officiating.
Special thanks to caretaker, Geraldine Jackson, Greenfield Senior Living, Greenfield Senior Reflections, Crater Hospice and Richmond Hospice.