Helen Day Mitchell

Helen Day Mitchell January 1, 1919 September 25, 2015 Helen Day Mitchell died peacefully on September 25, 2015, with her children by her side. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 2, at the First Presbyterian Church of Waco, with the Rev. Dr. Leslie King officiating. A private burial at Oakwood Cemetery will precede the memorial service. A native Wacoan, Mrs. Mitchell was born on January 1, 1919, the younger daughter of Ernest and Arlena Helen Day. On September 18, 1941, Helen married Francis D. "Bud" Mitchell at the First Presbyterian Church of Waco. They remained married for 58 years until his death in 2000. Helen was the epitome of a strong independent Texas woman, a true "steel magnolia" who defined the term "lady". She was tough and courageous in the face of difficulty and illness. She never complained. She was kind and generous, a true friend to many and loved her family. Helen knew how to have fun. Helen loved nature and the land. She knew the name of every wildflower in the field and bird in the sky. She was an owner of the Triangle 7 Ranch in Coryell County which has been in her family for well over 100 years. She actively participated in management of the Ranch until her death. Helen could shoot a gun and ride a horse. Shortly after World War II, a headline in the Waco Paper read: "Waco Woman's First Shot on Her First Deer Hunt Good for Buck". The article was about Helen. Despite her declining health, Helen always maintained a beautiful home and gardens. She was a gracious hostess and wonderful cook. For example, even though she had very limited vision as a result of macular degeneration, by some combination of skill and memory which was hard to fathom, she could go to the kitchen and whip up a souffl that was so beautiful and delicious it would take your breath away. Her granddaughter, actress Elizabeth Mitchell, in an article in Parade Magazine that featured Helen's holiday cornbread stuffing recipe described what it was like to be in Helen's home: "My grandmother, who lives in Waco, Texas, is an amazing cook. Her home is a beyond five-star experience. She's never served a meal that doesn't have candles, crystal and beautiful silver. She treats her family like special guests, even serving scrambled eggs on a china plate with a gorgeous fork. Eating at her house is an incredible experience." Helen enjoyed classical music and was an avid reader. Throughout her life, she had a passion for learning new things. Helen and Bud were world travelers whose adventures spanned the globe. She was a graduate of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia where she received a B.A. degree in English. She also attended the University of Colorado and the University of Texas where she became a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity. Mrs. Mitchell was a member of the Junior League of Waco, serving as President for two years. Her other community activities included service on the boards of Child Welfare, the Evangelia House, and for many years, Planned Parenthood of Waco. For two terms, she was a member of the Oakwood Cemetery Board where she served as President. She was also a member of the Waco Women's Symphony Council and the Waco Garden Club. As a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, Helen served on the Women's Council and Sanctuary Guild. Mrs. Mitchell was also a member of The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas. Her parents, her sister, Billie Day Tolbert, and her husband preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Joe D. Mitchell, and his wife, Josephine of Dallas, daughter, Barbara M. Sample, and her husband, Jim, of Fort Worth, four granddaughters, Elizabeth Mitchell of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Kristina Helen Mitchell of Seattle, Washington, Katherine Day Mitchell of San Antonio, Texas and Emily Frances Sample of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as one great grandchild, Christopher Joseph Soldevilla. The family wishes to express its thanks to her longtime friends and employees, Annette Montgomery and Flavia Martinez-Rivera, for their devotion to Helen. The family also wishes to thank Lucy Lupu and the caregivers who allowed Helen to remain in the home she loved during her last years, Fiorica Omut, Rosa Ramosaj and her "angel," Jenni Pantelici. For those desiring to send a memorial, the family suggests, The First Presbyterian Church of Waco, 1100 Austin Avenue, Waco, Texas 76701 or a charity of your choice.