She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. She lived most of her life in this area.
Illinoise was retired from The Bread and Chicken House formerly located in Big Stone Gap. She was one of the original founders of the business and served as a master baker and pastry decorator until her retirement.
Other endeavors she undertook during her life were serving on The Lonesome Pine Hospital Board of Directors for 20 years, a past Director of the Big Stone Gap Aware Program, an Inspector at Trigiani Garment Factory, cafeteria manager at the former Bland High School, housekeeper of Allandale Mansion, past Worthy Matron of Harold Chapter 180 Order of the Eastern Star.
She was very active in United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, she taught Sunday school for 30 years, she was a certified lay leader for the Methodist church. She graduated from Morristown College and attended high school at Bethune-Cookman School for young women in North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. S.L. and Elizabeth Hall Tucker; sister, Bertha Long; her husband, the Rev. Albert S. Mitchell; her nephews, J.B. Long, J.C. Long; and niece, Billie Jean Grier.
She is survived by her daughter, Alberta E. Mitchell of Big Stone Gap; her grandson, Kevin Mitchell of Kingsport; three greatgrandchildren, Aaron Davidson, Amber Aliff and Sarah Aliff of Kingsport and five great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors are nieces, Valeria Long, Lanham, Md., Ruth Hardin, Knoxville, Vivian Varner and husband, Lee, of Knoxville, Tenn., Darlene Curry, Waldorf, Md., Sheila Purnell and husband, John of Cincinnati, Ohio, Patricia Dulaney of Knoxville, Tenn.; nephews, Tim Long of Knoxville Tenn., Butch Long and wife, Carol, Quentin Long, Joseph Long Jr. and Virgil Long, all of Knoxville, Tenn. As well as a host of greatnieces and nephews; and special friend and road partner, Peggy Lane.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church, East First and Wyandotte, Big Stone Gap.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Graveside services will follow in the Oak View Cemetery, Big Stone Gap. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the MEOC Fuel Fund or the Nutrition Fund, P.O. Box 888, Big Stone Gap, Va. 24219.
Online condolences maybe sent at gilliamfuneralhome.com.
Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, is serving the Mitchell family.
