Mary Elizabeth Mitchell

MARY ELIZABETH MITCHELL, affectionately as "Puddin" was born October 22, 1922 in Dendren, VA to the late Vanderbilt Hill and Louise Hill-McMo.  She was preceded in death by her sisters Gladys, Alease and Alice.  Her brothers; Vanderbilt and John Arthur.  Her beloved husband Thaddeus "Ted" and loving son Carl "Blue."

At an early age, her family moved to Lackawanna, NY where she attended public school, gave her life to God and later married her childhood sweetheart Thaddeus "Ted" Mitchell.  She was a member of 2nd Baptist Church of Lackawanna, NY under the Pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Arthur Phillips.  On the journey to establish her own, Ted and Mary moved onward to Buffalo, NY.  Of their union, four children were born Margo, Carl, Cynthia and Mary.

Devoted to her faith, Mary became a member of First Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of E.J. Echols, Sr. and would often attend service with her husband at Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Roscoe Mitchell.  Mary, a self driven devoted wife and mother always set out to better herself through education and employment.  During her early years, Mary had various employment until she obtained her position at Neighborhood House where she started out as a Daycare Attendant.  While there she decided to further her education, obtained her certificate of Education for Psychology of Early Childhood Education from D'Youville College and continued on to earn her Associate Degree from Buffalo State College.  Soon after, she advanced in her career as an Administrative Manager until her retirement from Neighborhood House later known as Moot Senior Center in 1984.  After retirement Mary enjoyed traveling, bingo and nurturing her children and grandchildren through her artistic talents, home cooked meals and parties amongst family and friends.

Mary stood strong within her faith, morals and values all of her 95 years until she was called home on December 16,2017 after a very long illness.  She leaves to cherish her daughters, Margo "Penny" (James) Luchey of Buffalo, New York, Cynthia (Orville) Ridgeway of Hornell, New York, Mary Mitchell of Buffalo, New York and a devoted daughter-in-law, Angela Gristani of Buffalo, New York; her baby sister, Marjorie Dunovant of Buffalo, New York and sister-in-law Geneva Tolbert of Chicago, Illinois; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  Mary may be gone but her legacy will forever live on.

Family will receive friends Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 10am at Coldspring Church of God in Christ, 107 Verplanck Ave. Funeral to follow at 11am. Burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

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