Lillie Mae Mitchell

Lillie Mae Mitchell (nee Dukes), 86, of Sun City, Arizona passed away April 12, 2024 after a long illness. In 2005, Lillie had survived the diagnosis of and treatment for breast cancer.

Lillie was born December 1, 1937 in Marston, Missouri to Walter Dukes and Flavis (Henderson) Dukes.

Lillie is preceded in death by her parents of Crystal City, MO; brothers: Melvin Dukes of Tucson, AZ and Theodore Barran of Las Vegas, NV; sisters Loretta Dukes of St. Louis, MO and Charlene Brown of O’Fallon, MO; and granddaughters Domineque J. Mitchell-Carrillo of Vallejo, CA and Demetria M. Mitchell-Smith of Granger, IN. 

Lillie is survived by her husband Charles A. Mitchell Sr. of Sun City, AZ, and children: Steven J. Mitchell of Boerne, TX, Dr. Cynthia G. Mitchell of Ashland VA, Kenneth W. Mitchell of Overland Park, KS, Vincent B. Mitchell of Surprise AZ, Phillip B. Mitchell of Dunwoody, GA, Marcia L. Ecalnea of Albuquerque, NM, and Charles A. Mitchell Jr. of Kuwait City, Kuwait. Lillie is Grandmother of 8 and Great-grandmother of 7.

Lillie is survived by sisters Alva Jane Brock of Raleigh, North Carolina and Iris Blanks of Stafford, VA; and brother Felix Dukes of Lenexa, KS. She is survived and loved dearly by many nephews and nieces.

Lillie attended and graduated from Douglas High School in Festus, MO. On August 18, 1956, she married her long-time sweetheart, Charles A Mitchell, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crystal City, Missouri. 

Lillie committed her life to being a loving, supportive wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was active in her Catholic faith and offered kindness to all who knew her. In her commitment to her Catholic faith, Lillie also studied and made her life profession to the Western Dominican Laity Third Order at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Benicia, CA during the 1990s.

Lillie served her family and country as a military wife who traveled to/lived in multiple U.S. States and multiple European countries with her husband and children. She especially enjoyed her travels through France, Turkey, Italy, and Spain; and enjoyed many road trips and cruises. 

Lillie loved to read and had developed a library collection of over 300 books by time she was 82 years old. During the time, she resided in California; she worked for the Vallejo Unified School District as a “Special Friend” for grade school students who needed extra attention to adjust to school life. 

Lillie is remembered by her husband for her love and devotion, by her children for being “eternally” supportive and caring; by her brothers and sisters for her fun-loving nature and supportive words, and by all who knew her as a loving woman and trusted confidante.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, May 16, 2024 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Sun City, AZ. After the service, there will be an escorted procession to the National Cemetery of Arizona. The internment ceremony will be at 12:30pm. Following these services will be a reception for family and friends of the family.

Condolences for the family may be sent to Charles A. Mitchell, c/o Menke Funeral Home. 

The Menke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.