Marie Lynette Mitchell

Marie Lynette Pledger Mitchell, of Morrilton, passed away, January 7, 2013. She was born February 29, 1924 in Alief, Texas. She attended Mary Hardin Baylor College and graduated from Baylor University. Her family relocated to Oppelo, Arkansas and she began her teaching career in Hot Springs. A family friend introduced Marie to her future husband, William M. Mitchell, Jr. (Billy). They married in 1946 and set up house in Morrilton, Arkansas. Two daughters followed; Mary Jane and Betty Ann. Marie joined the faculty at Northside Elementary School as a 1st grade teacher. She continued teaching at Northside and Reynolds Elementary. She retired from teaching in 1986. She and Billy traveled throughout the U.S. and managed to visit all fifty states. Our mother had a keen sense of humor, constantly suprising and entertaining us with a verbal zinger and a witty observation. She was a master seamstress, sewing all of our clothes from birth through high school. She was an avid gardener, a wonderful cook and hostess, and she never ceased to amaze her daughters with her remarkable creative abilities. Her extraordinary adventurous spirit was always a joy to her girls and especially to Billy. Marie was predeceased by her parents, Naomi Jane Doty Pledger and Joseph Gaines Pledger and her sister, D'Ann Bruton Henderson. She is survived by her husband, Billy Mitchell, Jr., her daughters, Mary Jane and husband Jim Anderson of Plano, Texas; Betty Ann and husband Jerry Smith of Jonesboro; granddaughter, Susan Laura-Marie Smith of Jonesboro; niece, Bheti Smith and grandnephews, Patton and Chase Smith. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 11, at the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton followed by a visitation with the family in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marie be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.