Loretta Mitchell

MINER, Mo. — Loretta Lynn Mitchell, 71, died peacefully on Aug. 28, 2024, at home surrounded by family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed for her zest for life, optimism, compassion and creativity.

Born Jan. 3, 1953, in Du Quoin, Illinois, Lori grew up in Christopher and Ava, Illinois.

Lori met Tom Mitchell in 1968 and they married in 1971. They remained madly in love and faithfully devoted to each other, their family, and their faith for the entire 53 remaining years of her life.

Tom enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 and was stationed in Greenland from 1975 to 1976. During that time, Lori lived near her family in Southern Illinois with their two young sons: John, born Dec. 26, 1971, and Jason, born March 31, 1975. They were subsequently stationed in Oklahoma and then Scott Air Force Base all together as a family.

In 1981, Tom opted to exit full time military service and the family moved to Miner. Soon thereafter, Tom joined the Miner Police Department and enlisted in the Navy Reserves as a Sea Bee. Tom was elected Chief of Police in Miner and served in that position until his retirement in 2001. He retired from the Navy Reserves in 1995.

Throughout her 43 years as a beloved member of the Miner and Sikeston community, Lori devoted her life to her Christian faith, caring for her family, friends, her photography, drawing and painting, doll making, flowers, and insatiable curiosity evident in the breadth and volume of books she read. 

Lori gave committed countless hours to caring for elderly and dying friends and lonesome strangers who became dear friends; she led Sunday school classes for children at her Church; and she came to be known as “Momma Mitchell” to dozens of her sons’ friends.

In the final years of her life when she could no longer travel to the places where her sons lived including Chicago, North Carolina, and New York City, due to health-related issues that forced a more sedentary life at home with her tireless caregiving Tom, Lori continued staying in close contact with their boys and three grandchildren through long phone conversations and social media; cheering them on in their endeavors with vigorous attention, curiosity and deep love.

Lori is survived by her husband, Tom; her two sons, John and his fiancee Anki King of Brooklyn, New York, and Jason of Wake Forest, North Carolina; John’s son, Joseph and his wife Mariah of Vancouver, Washington; Jason’s daughter, Emma and son Nolan; her sisters Kim, Cindy and brother Leonard Riggs of Christopher, Illinois; and her two brothers-in-law David Mitchell of Benton, Illinois, and Steven Mitchell of Carbondale, Illinois; and their families. She leaves behind beloved family and friends around the world.

The family will host a celebration of Lori’s life later this fall.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com

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The Mitchell family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Lori’s memory. For information regarding how to donate, please refer to www.stjude.org . Condolence cards can be sent to Tom Mitchell and Family: 417 Harrison St, Miner, MO 63801.