Pearl Mitchell

A loving and caring mother and grandmother, Pearl Mitchell lived by strong core values. She passed these values on to her family with a wonderful smile and a warm and giving heart. She was a selfless and giving person that never passed up another in need. Material things were not important to her, but people and the opportunities that they should be given, were what Pearl fought for all her life. Pearl Elizabeth Mitchell was born February 4, 1920 to Arthur and Helen (Whitfield) Banks in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pearl had a brother who died before she was born. Pearl's mother was a wonderful seamstress and made all her clothes as a child. At the age of five, her family moved to Elgin, Illinois to be closer to family. This included her loving and insightful grandmother who helped in rearing her until an untimely car accident took her life in the 1930s. Her grandmother's words of wisdom "to find ways to overcome obstacles and turn your problems into opportunities" have helped Pearl to take on situations she encountered in her life. Pearl also enjoyed playing the piano and organ and took lessons for many years. She attended school in Elgin. Pearl was an outgoing person with many friends in school and while in high school took cooking lessons. Pearl's life took a different direction when she met and fell in love with Frederick Anderson. Frederick was an excellent mechanic and truck driver and loved cars. Shortly after marrying, Pearl and Frederick moved to Three Rivers to be nearer Frederick's parents. This became Pearl's home, where she would lovingly raise her seven daughters - Daisy, Beverly, Carol, Marilyn, Lareane, Anita, and Banita. Pearl did not pursue her education in Three Rivers, instead stayed at home to raise her girls. She tried to instill in them the values that her grandmother passed on to her. She had very high standards and wanted her girls to be the best they could be and reach for the sky with their dreams and aspirations in life. She was very stern with her daughters when it came to school. She disciplined them in how important education was for their future and much to her delight; all seven of them went on to college. Pearl also coached her girls in social graces. Pearl became a single parent in 1949 and she strove every day to provide for her daughters. They never felt that they had to do without because of their mother's love and hard work. In 1954, to Pearl's amazement, she and her girls were invited to be on a TV show called "Welcome Travelers" in Chicago that was played coast to coast. It was an honor to Pearl for being a leader, role model and an inspiration for others as a single parent doing it all. Pearl was always an outgoing and very intelligent person. To quote Pearl, "to achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible, and to be as much as we can be, we must dream of being more." In believing this, Pearl was resolute that she would finish her education and did so in 1967. She continued on by going to Glenn Oaks Community College and graduating in 1973 with an Associate Degree in Social Work. She held a State of Michigan social worker's license and went on to Western Michigan University as sociology major. In the whirlwind of life's busyness, Pearl also met and married Harry Roach in 1960, where they lived happily until his death in 1970. Along life's pathway, Pearl met Emerson Mitchell. They married in May of 1973. In 1999, they moved to Kalamazoo for a simpler lifestyle. Pearl had many great achievements in her life. She was the first black lady in St. Joseph County to hold several positions. One such position was for the Michigan Employment Security Commission in Three Rivers as a placement specialist, where she worked for 15 years, before retiring in 1985. She was also the first black elected official in St. Joseph County as the City Commissioner for Three Rivers from 1975 until 1977. Because of her many great accomplishments, Pearl was named in the "Michigan 150 First Lady Award"…Senate Concurrent Resolution honoring the recipients of the Michigan 150 First Lady Award in 1987. Pearl had become an influential member of her community. She had the opportunity when Gov. Blanchard was in office to meet Mrs. Blanchard and also attended the inauguration of President Carter. Pearl believed that if you "give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you." Working for many civic groups helped her give back and to help others who couldn't help themselves. She started the general educational development (GED) program in St. Joseph County and had served on the Three Rivers City Commission, as secretary of the State Democratic Party Convention and Keynote Speaker for the State of Michigan Democratic Convention. She has also run for state representative in the 22nd District. Member of the National Black Caucus and Science for Citizens planning group, a Girl Scout Leader, and manager of a Three Rivers Emergency Care Network, which supplied food to the needy. She worked on passage of a bill to stop using paint with lead for children's toys and held open meetings inviting speakers to address questions on racial tensions and possibilities. She was on the Board of Directors of the Commission on Aging. She also was elected to a key advisory position with the WMU service center. She served as the Southern Vice-Chairperson of the Citizens Policy Council, the governing body of the Science for Citizens Center of Southwestern Michigan. She was listed in the “Who’s Who” of America in 1988. Pearl had many interests that gave her great enjoyment. She had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, whether on a cruise to exotic islands or by flying above the clouds. Pearl's enjoyment of flying inspired her to take flying lessons. Pearl also had a love for music. Her favorite style was jazz, but she also appreciated others like Sarah Vaughn, Pearl Bailey and Tony Bennett. Her piano lessons as a child also brought her great enjoyment as an adult when she played the piano or organ. Painting always brought her much joy for she loved art and studying her Bible strengthened her reverence in her faith. She could always find comfort in sweets, especially banana cream pie and spicy, hot foods. Pearl passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emerson Mitchell, and by a granddaughter, Joanne Scott. Surviving are seven daughters: Daisy B. Layton of Kalamazoo, MI, Beverly J. Scott of Battle Creek, MI, Carol Y. (Errol) Scott of Las Vegas, NV, Marilyn P. (Dan Hamblin) Hooper of Battle Creek, MI, Lareane L. (Ronald) Farley of Atlanta, GA, Anita A. (Jesse Johnson) Boyd of Lansing, MI, and Banita R. (Raymond) Drain of Battle Creek, MI; a sister, Janet (Richard) Oliver, of St. Petersburg, FL, fifteen grandchildren: Errolyn, Errol, Jeffrey, Linda, Henry, Cassandra, Karen, Karla, Kevin, Charles, Ryan, Paula, Steven, Sean and Theodore; thirty-one great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren, four stepchildren: Lamont and Stanley Mitchell, Rhea Burrell and Shane (Dorothy) Mitchell; ten step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren. Friends may spend time with the family on Friday, October 31 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Betzler Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, 375-2900. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 1 at 11:30 AM. Interment will take place at Hill Cemetery, Lawrence. To read Pearl's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers or make memorial contributions to National Stroke Association please visit www.lifestorynet.com. Pearl's benevolent nature is illuminated in her family and friends. All that knew her will miss her.