Hattie Mitchell Phelps

Hattie Mitchell Phelps - “Ma Mitch” “Granny”

Hattie Mitchell Phelps died March 12, 2011, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Hattie was born August 25, 1920, a daughter of George Washington Campbell and Flora Mays Campbell. 

Hattie was preceded in death by her first husband, Patrick E. Mitchell, Sr. and her second husband, Wiley T. Phelps. She was also preceded in death by a son, Patrick Edward Mitchell, Jr., eight brothers, and seven sisters. 

She is survived by a daughter, Dorothy “Dot” Arrington and her husband Pete; a son, Michael W. “Mike” Mitchell, and his wife Nancy; and daughter-in-law, Kay H. Mitchell, all of Lynchburg. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, John A. “Johnny” Arrington, Sharon A. Hedrick, Kim A. Dalton (John), Lisa A. Hannell (Jon), Angela M. “Angie” Mitchell, Kelly M. Camarda (Joe), James E. “Jimmy” Mitchell (Courtney), and Susan M. Brown (Chris), as well as eighteen great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by three stepsons: James Phelps of Tennessee, Rev. Kenneth Phelps of South Carolina, and Jerry Phelps of Virginia Beach. 

Hattie and Pat Mitchell, Sr. were the founders of Mitchell's Store in the Boonsboro Community in 1949, where she worked until her retirement. 

She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, American Businesswomen's Association, The Loyal Club and a past board member of the Lynchburg Y.W.C.A. 

She was a longtime member of Boonsboro United Methodist Church, which she loved to attend with all of her church family. She cherished coming to her beloved store to sit and see all of her friends. Mother never met a stranger and always had a warm smile for everyone. Hattie had a special place in her heart for all children. 

The family would like to thank Dr. James Cure and Dr. William VanDyke for the excellent care given to our mother over the last fifteen years which gave her many extra quality years of life; the nurses and CNAs at Lynchburg General and Virginia Baptist Hospitals for their compassion and care over the last two weeks; and to mother's special friend and caregiver, Adlay Hedrick, whom she loved very much. We can never say thank you enough for your dedication to her over the years. Finally, to all her other friends too numerous to mention individually, we thank you for your calls, cards, visits, prayers and good food which you gave her. 

A celebration of Hattie's life and faith will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at 11:00am at Boonsboro United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lane Spigener officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 15, 2011, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Diuguid Funeral Service- Wiggington Road Chapel. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Boonsboro United Methodist Church, 113 Coffee Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503, Boonsboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 1065 Lee-Jackson Hwy, Lynchburg, VA 24503 or a charity of your choice. Diuguid Funeral Service-Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is serving the family.