Betty Mitchell

Betty R. Mitchell, age 88 passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Ashley Care Center Ashley, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Bannister United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Mona Dye officiating.  Visitation will be from noon until the service.  Burial will be at the Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI.

Betty was born on March 27, 1929; she was the third daughter and fifth child of Hiram William and Alice Louisa (Pendell) Ackles.  She attended the Ashley Schools, lettered in basketball; and married William Warren Mitchell on July 27, 1947 shortly after high school.  She was predeceased by her parents, her husband William, and both sons: Bradford and Paul; three brothers: Vincent, Robert, and James; and oldest sister Clelia Jean Filgas.

Betty and Bill settled down on the family farm in the fifties, where she became involved with the Bannister United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.  She raised her family on the farm while milking the cows, working in the fields, and canning the vegetables from the huge garden.  She worked with the Ovid-Elsie School system both in the class room and out on the playground.  She did a fine job nurturing young minds and instilling respect.  Betty was also involved with many 4-H projects.  She taught baking, sewing, crafting and both vegetable and flower gardening.

Betty is survived by her daughters: Constance Lee Faircloth and Crystal (Fleckenstein) Mitchell; also by her granddaughter Diane Lockhart, and five grandsons: W. Heath (Robin) Thomas, J. Warren (Kristi) Faircloth, William Fleckenstein, Travis Mitchell and Jacob Mitchell.  Betty was also involved with her three great granddaughters, four great grandsons and one great great granddaughter.  She was blessed!

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bannister United Methodist Church for either the “This & That Store” or the Food Bank. Online condolences can be made to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com the family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.