Obituary of Mother-Willie-Mae Mitchell

Mother Willie Mae "Sang" Mitchell, 82, a native of Atkinson, Ga., passed away on January 13, 2012, at Ogeechee Area Hospice, with her family by her side. She was born on April 23, 1929, to the late Billy and Roxie Shields NeSmith in Brantley County, Ga. "Sang," as she was affectionately known among her loved ones and family, was educated in the public schools of Brantley County. She met and married the love of her life, Willie D. Mitchell, on January 18, 1947, and to this union 12 children were born. Willie Mae was one of a set of twins. Her twin brother was Willie Lee Mitchell. She was employed as a homemaker throughout the Screven and Jesup community. Early in her young life, Willie Mae joined St. James Holiness Church and in the years following she continued to satisfy her spiritual longing by studying the Bible and traveling with her children and grandchildren, who brought great joy to her life.She was preceded in death by both parents, her loving husband, Willie D. Mitchell; two daughters, Gloria A. Mitchell Trammell and Deborah N. Mitchell; three sons, Leon Mitchell, James Howard Mitchell and Jimmy L. Mitchell; her siblings, Delois Simmons, Louvenia McFadden, Franty Roy NeSmith, Willie Lee NeSmith and Griffin James.She leaves to cherish her precious memories: three daughters, Roxie Jean (Eugene) White and Helen R. (Carl) Thomas, both of Statesboro, Ga., and Sandra F. (Virgil) Mack, Clinton, Md.; four sons, Willie D. Mitchell, Robert E. (Evelyn) Mitchell and Eddie Lee Mitchell, all of Screven, Ga., and Bennie Ray (Jewel) Mitchell, Statesboro, Ga.; four sisters, Jean Jones and Fannie Odol, both of Jacksonville, Fla., Pearl (J.C.) McElveen, Effingham, S.C., and Bertha Howell of Lima, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Theresha NeSmith, Jacksonville, Fla., Helen Pugh Mathis, Pensacola, Fla.; two aunts, Helen Cromartie, Screven, Ga., and Thelma Cromartie, Pehokee, Fla.; 27 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, Catherine Long and Lisa Collins, both of Screven, Ga.Visitation: Friday, January 20, in Royal Funeral Home Chapel from 5-7 p.m.Funeral service: Saturday, January 21, at 2 p.m. at Greater St. James Temple of Apostolic Faith, Inc., 535 White Star Road, Screven, Ga. Interment in Screven City Cemetery.Final arrangements entrusted to Royal Funeral Home, Inc., Jesup, Ga.Statesboro Herald, January 19, 2012Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.