Elizabeth "Bettye" Mitchell

Elizabeth Dale Rodgers Mitchell, known to her friends as Bettye, passed away on December 14^th.  She was 94 years young.

Bettye grew up in Blytheville, Arkansas and left at the age of 18 to marry her husband of 66 years, Jack Mitchell, during World War II.  She and Jack lived many places throughout their marriage, including Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, and Tennessee.  Bettye made dear friends everywhere she lived.  Bettye was a woman who loved people, loved a good book, and loved God.  She was a natural entertainer, and her house was always the one where everyone felt at home.  She was quick with an invitation and there was always room for one more.

She instilled in many generations of her family the importance of helping others, whether it was at the Jones Memorial Community Center, at church, with a friend or neighbor in need, or helping with Jack’s big band.  She had a deep faith and prayed daily for all those she loved.  She also loved a party, always had a full dance card, and could get the giggles just if you looked at her funny.

Bettye was the mother of six kids, Jackie Frye, and husband, Jim of Cleveland, TN, Libby Perry, and husband, Tom of Forsyth, GA, Troy, and wife, Ale of Austin, TX, Curt, Dan, and wife, Barbara of Overland Park, KS, and Tom, and wife, Jenn of Pocatello, ID. She has more than two dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her a bushel and a peck and called her their GG.  Bettye is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and lots of special friends who were like family.  Special thanks to Nova and all the staff at Garden Plaza for their loving care and kindness.

Bettye is meeting her lifelong dance partner, Jack, in heaven, along with her son Curt, her sister Shirley, her parents, and sisters and brothers-in-law.  We know she is so happy to get there. 

A private family celebration of life service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home chapel with Reverend Mary Parsons. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. A white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service. Due to the National Pandemic, the service will be live streamed on Ralph Buckner Funeral Home Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Unity Center and Amedisys Foundation. 

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Mitchell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.