Denza Mitchell

Denza Zenobia Mitchell, beloved wife and mother, 84, of Cape Girardeau left this earth Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born July 12, 1930, in St. Louis, to Elenor Elizabeth Staten and Everett Jones. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Ethel Bollinger of Cape Girardeau.

Denza graduated from the Lincoln/John S. Cobb School in 1948, afterward completing a year of business school.

She and Calvin Rudolph Mitchell of Jackson were united in holy matrimony in October 1953 in St. Louis, at a dear friend's house. Later Denza and Calvin returned to Cape Girardeau, where they raised five children.

Denza was a lifelong member of St. James AME Church. She was very active most of her life there. Denza used all her God-given talents for the glory of God. She served the Lord in various capacities. She was the musician there, where she played both the organ and the piano many years. She served as president of the Floral Club, was a member of the Here I Am Club and was on the Mother Stewardess Board. She hosted many church socials and fundraisers in her own backyard.

She loved waking up early in the mornings, writing divinely inspired messages and praising God for all his many spiritual blessings. She often spoke at the church, delivering powerful messages at Women's and Mother's Day programs. She served on the church anniversary banquet committee multiple times, transforming the church basement into an elegant venue for the anniversary celebrations.

She conducted and served as mistress of ceremonies for the church Easter fashion shows. Denza's beautiful soprano voice was often heard each Sunday morning in the sanctuary. Denza loved the Lord, loved being in church and continued to make every effort to be in the house of the Lord. Denza was an exquisite homemaker. She was her own interior and exterior decorator and designer, loved gardening and planting, each spring and summer, an array of gorgeous flowers in her front- and backyards. She was a great cook, whipping up mouthwatering desserts as well as a seamstress designing and sewing most of her clothes.

Dee Dee, as she was often called by her grandchildren, drew people of all ages to her warm and inviting home. She served as a host for Tupperware, Sara Coventry and Studio Girl events. Young people of all ages flocked to her home to join in on singalongs around the piano. She found time to serve meals to her children's friends and college students who were longing for a home-cooked meal. Dee Dee and her husband opened their basement to a young pastor who needed a place to hold services to preach God's word.

Dee Dee loved all people, black and white, young and old. Every time anyone would come in contact with her, she would always have a warm greeting for you and some kind words to say. Dee Dee was a godly wife for over 60 years to her husband. She was a loving and protective mother to her children. She epitomized the biblical mandate of how a woman should love her husband, love her children and keep her household. She will be truly and deeply missed.

Survivors include a loving, devoted husband, Calvin Mitchell of Cape Girardeau; a son, Kevin Mitchell of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Debra Mitchell-Braxton, Karen Smith and Denise Mitchell, all of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Randy (Amanda) Smith II of Houston, Sean Braxton of Cape Girardeau, Ashley Braxton of Hampton, Virginia, Frankie Braxton of Columbia, Maryland, and Ann (Darryl) Parker of Silver Spring, Maryland; and a great-grandchild, Calvin Mattan Smith of Houston.

She leaves behind a cousin, Carlton (Patricia) Staten of Las Vegas; a sister-in-law, Virginia Johnson of St. Louis; a brother-in-law, Brian (Phyllis) Siebert of Kokomo, Indiana; a host of cousins; and many dear friends.

Preceding her in death was a beloved son, Reginald Mitchell, and an uncle, Orlando Davis Staten, both of Cape Girardeau; and a cousin, Ronald Staten of Jackson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at St. James AME Church, 516 North St., with the Rev. Rodney Moody officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.