Blossie Vivian Mitchell

Blossie Vivian McClure Mitchell was born on August 1, 1937 to Leo McClure, Sr. and Janie Cleon McNeil McClure in Curtis, Arkansas.

At the age of 12, she joined St. John Baptist Church is West Memphis, Arkansas and was baptized in the Mississippi River. Throughout her life, she maintained her position as a faithful servant of the church. At the age of 14, she joined Mt. Friendship Baptist Church in Curtis, Arkansas. She later united with the membership of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in 1972 under the leadership of Rev. C. B. Knox. She graciously served at Canaan for over 30 years and worked in multiple auxiliaries including the culinary ministry, nurse’s guild, and Vacation Bible School as a teacher. Her final home of membership was with Gaines Street Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J. Barrington Minix where she served as a faithful member from 2011 until her death.

Her early childhood education began at the Curtis #64 Elementary School in Curtis, Arkansas. Following a brief enrollment at Peake High School, she transferred to LeRoy McNeil High School in Crawfordsville, Arkansas where she graduated in 1955. Post high school graduation, she attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas as one of the first black student and later transferred to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. During her tenure at Philander Smith she would be swept away by the love of her life, Clifford Mitchell, Jr. Whom she married on March 29, 1956 and to this union six children were born.

Blossie had a servant’s heart and often put others ahead of herself. In addition to serving in the church and taking care of her family, her professional career was one of serving others. After a 30-year career of service in healthcare, she proudly retired from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

She is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, Clifford Mitchell, Jr; son Steven Mitchell, grandchildren Johnathan Cooper and Natalie Mitchell; siblings Leo McClure Jr., Clarice Turner, Louise Ross, Joe Nathan McClure, and Janet McClure; sisters-in-law, Esther Curry and Vertie Frames; brothers-in-law, Burnis Curry and Bennie Frames.

She is survived by her Children: Valerie Miles, Anthony Mitchell Sr., David (Annette) Mitchell, Sr., and Nathaniel Mitchell of Little Rock, Arkansas and Gregory (Sandy) Mitchell of Jacksonville, Arkansas; she reared two grandchildren: Erika Mitchell Thomas (Enice Quentin) of Glenarden, Maryland and LaKiesha Mitchell Williams of North Little Rock, Arkansas; siblings: Vera (James) Ross of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Phenoid (Wilma) McClure of Curtis, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Alvin Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas, sisters-in-law, Mattie McClure and Gloria McClure of Curtis, Arkansas; 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

Submitted by the Mitchell Family

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022 at Gaines Street Baptist Church, 1601 South Gaines Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. Services to celebrate her life will be held at noon on Saturday, July 23, 2022, with Pastor Christopher Williams, officiating and Pastor J. Barrington Minix, Sr., eulogist. Interment will be at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the Little Rock National Cemetery, 2523 Springer Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Mitchell, Anthony Mitchell, Jr., Julius Golden, Anthony Mitchell, Leotis McClure David Mitchell, Jr., Kenny McClure and Clifton Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Enice Quentin Thomas, Evan Thomas, Adrian Baker, Alijah Baker, Efrem Wilson, Calvin Jackson, Titus Pride, Christopher Holmes, DeLonzo Ross, Alvin Turner, Jr., Brian McClure, Eric McClure, Eric Davis, Shawn Anthony Ross and Steve McClure.