Emily P. Mitchell was born October 1, 1921 and was blessed to live to be 95 years young. She grew up in Roxobel, North Carolina as the daughter of sharecroppers. She was the youngest of 5 siblings who all preceded her in death. After living in New York for over 50 years, she relocated to Virginia and has been a member of New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville) for approximately nine years. Emily served as an Elevator Operator for the New York Police Department for over 20 years. While living in New York, Emily was a member of Shiloh Church of Christ for 50 years under the leadership of Pastor, Bishop W.C. Gilliams. She was a member of the Choir, the Senior Missionary (serving as President) and handled preparations for the weekly meetings during assembly of the church. During the time that she was President of the Senior Missionary she introduced the Daily Bread Kitchen where she cooked, prepared and served meals alongside her spiritual daughter, Carolyn Drake. She brought that same love and gift of service and commitment to New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville). Well into her 80’s and 90’s, Emily participated in various community activities which included Bingo and Wii Bowling where she lived at the Churchland Commons Senior Community. Her favorite pastimes were sewing, creating different hats, quilting, cooking, working on puzzles, playing scrabble and traveling. Her favorite scripture was “Psalm 23” and her favorite songs were “One Day at a Time” and “Amazing Grace”.

Emily Mitchell was united in Holy Matrimony on October 2, 1948 to Jonah T. Mitchell for 47 years; a mother of two children, Gloria Jacobs-Smith and John R. Mitchell; and a grandmother of three grandchildren: Donna Ebron (Lynwood), Trina Berry (Stevie), Ron Jacobs (Pam); eight great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren and 3 special God-daughters: Paula Brimmage, LaToya Hores and LaTeisha Hinton. She leaves a legacy of many nieces and nephews and beloved extended family. Emily was truly one of God’s earthly angels and demonstrated God’s love by serving as a mother figure to so many people over the years.

She went on to be with the Lord on September 26, 2017. Emily lived her last days in Smithfield, NC at the SECU Hospice House where she lived her final days in comfort and dignity.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Rd., Knightdale, 27545.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the funeral home.

Entombment will be held at 1:30 pm, Monday, October 2, 2017 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, 3920 Airline Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC 27577. 

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