BARBARA JEANNETTE FLORENCE MOSLEY MITCHELL, 87 LAKELAND - Barbara Jeannette Florence Mosley Mitchell was born in a Methodist parsonage on May 23, 1926 in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada. She passed away due to natural causes on Wed., November 6, 2013. Barbara graduated in 1948 from Florida Southern College with a degree in Christian Education. After graduating, she met a young pastor, Thomas Glenn Mitchell at the Florida Annual Conference in June 1949 and they had their first date. He visited her in Fort Lauderdale in July and proposed. In August, he visited her at Martha's Vineyard where she was vacationing with her parents, asked Dr. Mosley for her hand and gave her the engagement ring. Six months after meeting, they were married January 5, 1950 and when Tom died in 2009, they had been married 59 years. Barbara and Tom were seldom apart after their wedding. They had three children: Barbara Jeanne Mitchell Driscoll, Thomas Glenn Bosley-Mitchell, and James Arthur Mitchell. Barbara journeyed alongside Tom as a "Preacher's Wife" and often pursuing Christian Education as Tom served in churches throughout Florida. They retired and moved to their home in Lake Junaluska, NC. After missing the grandchildren (there are now 13), they moved back to Lakeland, first at Fairway Villas, and then to the Estates at Carpenters. Over the years Barbara had several careers, including a long stint as the Director of the Baptist Children's Home, here in Lakeland, employed by the State of Florida DCF as a social worker, running a family counseling practice, fill-in service at the former Maas Brothers store, and occasionally employed as a public school teacher. After retirement Barbara continued her community service as President of Lakeland Habitat for Humanity, as the President of the United Methodist Women at First UMC, Lakeland, and President of the Residents Association at Carpenters Estates. Barbara is survived by her brother and sister, her children: Barbara, Glenn and Gaye, Jim and Nancy. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL, 33801, on Monday, November 18 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund at First UMC, Lakeland, designated either for the UMW Scholarship Fund or the UMC Youth Camp Leadership Team.