Edna (Mckenzie) Mitchell

Edna Pearl Janet McKenzie Mitchell was born in Dallas on April 29, 1923 and passed away in Crowley, Texas on November 26, 2022.  She was a 1941 graduate of Paschal High School.

At the age of two months, moved into a rooming house owned by her father. He was killed in an automobile accident when she was three. Her mother, who was a nurse, took jobs as a nanny to wealthy people’s babies, therefore lived with them. Since this was during the great depression, Edna was boarded out with relatives or friends until high school graduation. She even spent three years in a church-run children’s home.

In 1942, she married the love of her life, Donald. They were married 70 years, prior to his death in 2012. They had two children, Larry Brantley and Susan Lynn.

She began 30 years of service at the Star-Telegram at the age of 20 in the Reference Room but ended up as secretary to various gentlemen, at different times—Editors, a Controller and two Vice Presidents. During the mid-60’s while working in the Editorial Department, the City Editor talked her into writing a column relating to horseback riding activities with the title, “Stall Talk”.  This came about because Edna and Donald’s children, Larry and Susan were avid riders who participated in equestrian events every weekend and Edna talked about the kids riding and about the horses. The column ran just under three years.

Edna served on a committee to plan and successfully build an exercise facility in the YWCA during a remodeling campaign.

After the paper sold, she moved to the Amon G. Carter Foundation, where she served as administrative assistant to the Executive Director, until her retirement in 1988.

After retirement, Edna volunteered over a decade at the Crowley Public Library. She was an avid reader until her eyesight failed in her mid-90’s.  Don and Edna traveled extensively throughout the United States in their motorhome fondly called Ol’ Blue.

She is survived by son, Larry Mitchell and wife, Alice; daughter Susie Mitchell Heil and husband, Jim; grandchildren, Cathryn Barnes Sledge and husband Dean; Kimberly Collins Stieber, Kaleese Mitchell Williams and husband, Trey; N. Ashley Heil and husband, Travis Miller; Larynn Mitchell Bolyer and husband, Jarrod and Derek Deason. She had two great-grandchildren, Brant Williams and Tacey Bolyer.

Special thanks to Anchor Way Senior Center staff and AlevCare Hospice for their excellent care and love.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Edna Mitchell, to Crowley Public Library or House of Hope in Crowley, TX.