Ellen Jane Mitchell

ROCHESTER, MINN:Ellen J. Mitchell, 87, died and joined her Lord and Savior on Friday, October 28, 2011 at Maple Manor Nursing Home. Ellen Jane Larkins was born July 24, 1924 to Eddie and Ockie (Lee) Larkins in Landisburg, WV. Ellen joined St. John's Baptist Church at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Charles Clemons in Garrison (Ferndale) West Virginia. She served as secretary of the Literary Club at St. John's Baptist Church and also taught summer Bible School for many years. Several years after graduating from high school, Ellen attended Wayne State University and Wayne County Community College and graduated with a B.S. in Nursing. She married Charles E. Mitchell Sr. in 1940 and he later died 1999. She worked as an RN at Detroit Receiving Hospital, Sinai Hospital and Grace Hospital for thirty five years in the Detroit, MI area. After moving to Detroit, she joined the New West Side Central Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. M.M. Dade. Ellen sang in the Pastor's Chorus and was Treasurer. Later, she joined the New Prospect Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Wilma R. Johnson. Since moving to Rochester in 2000,Ellen was actively engaged in the community, including volunteering at Season's Hospice and Rochester Public Schools' andthe Engish for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) program. All of Ellen's many contributions, guidance, and volunteering, were done under the auspices of her being a strong Christian woman, who was devoted to her family and to her faith. She always recited words of thanks to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for her many blessings. Ellen will be remembered for her loving and giving nature, as wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. She was committed to her family and enjoyed traveling, listening to country western music and performing her professional duties as a Registered Nurse. Ellen is survived by her two daughters, Sandra (Llewellyn) Means and Marilyn Harmon, both of Rochester, MN; her son, Charles (Dorothy) Mitchell, Livonia, MI; twelve grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, two brothers, Kadell and Eddie J. Larkins, and an infant son Melvin. Ellen left this final message: To all the people I loved and all that loved me , I don't want to leave a void that can never be filled or pain that will never heal. Focus on life and living, not death. Focus on growth and fulfillment, not emptiness. Celebrate laughter over tears and giving over losing. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee. God wants me now, he set me free. Services are planned for a later date, including the committal service at Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, MI. Blessed be her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Maple Manor Nursing Home.