Lorene Mitchell

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Lorene Mitchell 96, of Baxter Springs, KS passed from this life on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, MO.

Lorene was born on February 2, 1920 in Barry County, MO to the union of Arthur and Bertha Lee (Bales) Browning. She worked at Duquesne School and St. John’s Hospital before moving to Baxter Springs, KS. She was united in marriage to Charles “Vester” Mitchell on April 30, 1955 in Joplin, Mo. After marriage Lorene and Vester owned and operated Mitchell’s Furniture Store for over 30 years.

At 96 years old Lorene was still so full of life, and very active. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Baxter Springs, KS since 1955. She attended and cooked for the Senior Citizens Club that meets every Tuesday and she enjoyed playing dominos. Anytime someone called her up, she was ready and excited to go. She attended the American Legion on Thursday’s to listen to the live music. She enjoyed doing upholstery work, getting her hair done on Fridays, by her granddaughter, Sammi, and also riding her stationary bicycle twice a day. She found the most joy in cooking Sunday dinners for her family. Nothing made her happier than seeing her family come together. She cherished her family time and put so much love into those dinners.

Lorene is preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Becka Jane Mitchell; two brothers, Clyde Browning, and Roy Browning; two sisters, Beulah Shrum and baby sister, Lucille Browning; four great grandchildren, Charleigh, Carly, Leanne and Lora, and daughter in law, Leona Lowe; and son in law Leonard Myers.

Lorene is survived by one daughter, Martha Rawlings and husband Richard of Fairland, OK; two sons, Charlie Mitchell and wife Brenda of Baxter Springs, KS, and Jim Lowe of Kearney, MO; ten grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, Baxter springs, KS. Pastor Jeff Street will officiate. Burial will follow in the Baxter Springs Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Monday, November 21, 2016 from 7:00-8:00 p.m., at Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.