Martha Ann Bell Mitchell, 83, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life Sunday, July 11, 2010, at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine following a brief illness. The daughter of James & Idella (Wilson) Bell, Sr., she was born November 25, 1926 in Madison, Florida. She was educated in the Madison County School District. Martha was united in Holy Matrimony to James Mitchell, Sr. in Quitman, Georgia and they resided in Palatka since 1946. She was a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church and served the Lord faithfully as a Mother of the church, sang in the choir and served on the Deaconess Board. Her hobbies included hosting her children and the successive generations of great- grandchildren and great-grandchildren at home. She also enjoyed her pit bull dog, Scooter.

Martha is preceded in eternal rest by her parents; her husband of 61 years, James Mitchell, Sr. (who preceded her on April 1, 2008); 2 brothers, King David Bell and James Bell, Jr., three sisters, Lula Mae Bell, Ola Moss and Louvenia Sanders preceded her into eternal rest.

Those who cherish her memories: 4 Daughters, Annie Grant, Cynthia Staten (Larry Patterson), Dorothy Grant (William Smith), Loquita (Anthony) McCaskill, all of Palatka;7 Sons, James (Cavonna) Mitchell, Jr., Willie (Elizabeth) Mitchell, Terry Mitchell (Barbara Pinkston), all of Palatka; Andrew (Grace) Mitchell, St. Petersburg, Jerry Mitchell and Anthony Mitchell, both of Orlando; Titus (Primus) Mitchell, Hastings; Stepdaughter, Sally Jones, Jacksonville; Sisters, Lucille Pride, Madison; Bertha Collins, Miami; Izzie B. Terry, Greenville; Catherine (Antonio) Lorrineta, Miami; Minnie Martin, Madison; Aunts, Martha Solomon, Madison; Jannie Wilson, St. Petersburg; more than 75 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Friday (Today) July 16 at the Chapel of Serenity. Homegoing services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor. Bishop Robert Lucas, pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, is presiding and Minister Rena Brinson, Associate Minister, is the Eulogist.

Interment will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102 Avenue, Bushnell, Florida. The cortege will assemble at the Mitchells residence at 12:20 p.m. Saturday.