Lucille Mitchell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Lucille Mitchell of Shawneetown passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at the Carrier Mills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Jan. 25, 1919, in Sublett, Mo., to Richard L. and Ethel Johnson. As a young girl, she attended school in Tilden and Marissa. She married James W. Mitchell in Du Quoin on Oct. 18, 1940. They moved to Shawneetown within a few years as Mr. Mitchell accepted a teaching position at the local high school.

Following her husband's early death, Mrs. Mitchell enrolled at Southern Illinois University and graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She was honored by being chosen as a junior class marshal and inducted into Kappa Delta Pi International Honor in education. She began her teaching career at Ridgway Grade School, loving all the first graders within her care. She taught over 800 children how to read prior to retiring from the Ridgway School system.

Mrs. Mitchell enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. She was an avid reader, especially of historic novels. She subscribed to several newspapers, always interested in current events and relished daily crossword puzzles. She had an outstanding memory, quoting word for word her earlier speeches, poetry, and names of former students and childhood friends. She liked televised basketball games, especially the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers.

Mrs. Mitchell left a gift of a written history of her life, detailing many adventures. Her family also remembers her fondness for pretty clothes and her wonderful cooking; her walnut Christmas cake was a specialty.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by daughters, Nancy Lynn (Mike) Vessell of Eldorado and Alice Ann (Ron) Stallings of Harrisburg; grandchildren, Christopher Vessell of Hoffman Estates, Laura Vessell of Peoria and Angela (Kenneth) Hagan of Louisville, Ky.; and great-grandchildren, Katie Vessell, Isabel Hagan and Audrey Hagan. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Rowe of Lancaster, Calif., as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Mitchell was predeceased by her husband, parents and siblings, Laurence Johnson, Loren Johnson, Allen Johnson, Ruth Koelling and William Shaffer, her cousin raised in the home.

Visitation will be at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church of Shawneetown with the Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Shawneetown, or the children's department of the Shawneetown Library. Internet condolences may be sent at the Internet site www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.