Jean M. Mitchell
September 24, 1951 – January 8, 2026
Age 74

The one thing Mama was very clear about was what she didn't want after her death: she didn't want anyone to paint over the dash between her birth and death dates to make her look perfect. I promised her we wouldn't do that—so consider this the loving airing of her "dirty laundry," exactly as she would have wanted.

As a child, Jean attended the Methodist Church, but it wasn't until later in life that she developed a deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She loved her evening CBS Women's Bible study group, and her dedication to studying God's Word was a true inspiration. Our mom was incredibly strong, but there were times when the weight of the world felt unbearable. It was by learning to lean on the Lord that she found the strength to keep fighting for what mattered most to her.

Mom served as the Director of First Impressions at Associated Advertising—a title created just for her and never given again. She had the remarkable ability to recognize callers by name simply by hearing their voice, and she possessed a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued, and important from the very first moment she spoke.

Below the Lord, but above all else, Mama loved her family—and she showed that love through constant care and attention. She made sure we had clean, pressed clothes that fit just right ("You aren't going out in that," "Everything looks better when it's ironed," "Pull down your shorts!"). She never passed up the chance to beat us at a game of cards, especially Up and Down the River, Go Fish, or Avocado Smash. Even knowing she would pay for it later, she still chose vacations and time together. Her two favorite places were the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Even as cancer ravaged her body, Mama still wanted to go on walks and visit estate sales. She made breakfast for her granddaughters and made sure they had dinner on nights they stayed over. Her love didn't stop with people. Despite insisting she didn't want any more animals, she lovingly cared for Todd and Tilly—two stray cats—as well as her granddogs, Dyson and Penny.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Wynne (Church) Rodelander. She leaves behind her beloved granddaughters, Aaliyah Mitchell and Ava McKim; her daughters and son in law  Kristin Mitchell and Niki (Jeremy) Richard; and her brother and sister in law, John (Linda) Rodelander.

She was honest, strong, loving, and unapologetically herself—and that dash between her dates tells a story worth telling exactly as it was.