Gladys Mae (Spear) Mitchell

Gladys Mae Mitchell, 100, went to be with her Lord Sunday, March 30, 2025 at RiverOaks Health Campus in Princeton. She was born November 30, 1924, to the late Rex S. and Zoie G. (Poole) Spear at the home of her maternal grandparents, Alonzo G. and Mary Elizabeth (Beck) Poole in Greene County between Linton and Pleasantville. Before she started school, Gladys and her family moved to Vincennes near her paternal grandparents, William L. and Rosalia Mary (Kester) Spear. Gladys and her sister, Rose Mary, attended Riley School in Vincennes. When Gladys was in the sixth grade, the family moved to Princeton on Thanksgiving weekend, 1936. She graduated from Princeton High School in the class of 1943. Being a mid-termer, she got out of school in January and went to work at Hansen’s Manufacturing Company, where she worked until September 1943, when she went to Savannah, Georgia, where she and her fiancé, SGT. Clyde T. Mitchell were married. The Rev. Ralph Porterfield officiated at the ceremony the afternoon of September 29, 1943, in the parlor of the Trinity Methodist Church, Savannah.

The 794th A. A. Artillery for which Clyde had been a member of the cadre, was stationed at camp Stewart, Georgia, outside of Savannah. The 794th was transferred to Richmond Army Air Base, Richmond, Virginia, and then to Camp Davis, North Carolina, near Wilmington. They were slated to be shipped overseas in a short time, so Clyde brought Gladys home. They debarked in October 1944. Their son, C. L. Mitchell, was born November 18, 1944 at Gibson General Hospital. He and his dad didn’t get to meet each other until Clyde was discharged from the Army December 26, 1945. Gladys was quite active in her church having taught Sunday school the better part of 50 years at Broadway Christian Church and the First Baptist Church. She was very active in the mission circles of both churches. Also, she was church clerk at the First Baptist Church for 17 years. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25

Survived by daughter, Bonita Sue and her husband Harold Steven Johnson; grandchildren, Christina (Tom) Bartlett, Stephanie Ward, Tabitha (Scott Jr.) Howard; great-grandchildren, Jamie, Matthew, and Jonathan Bartlett, Melinda (Adam) Schulz, and Joshua Robinson, and Zachary Ward; step-great-grandchildren, Jeramy Eaton, Jordon Mayer, Chris, and Stephanie Ward; daughter-in-law, Helen Mitchell; nieces Cynthia Longwisch, Debra Furguson, and Becky Harvey; nephew; Bill Mitchell; and sister-in-law, Della Wilkerson.

Preceded in death by her parents; husband of 61 ½ years, Clyde “C.T” Mitchell who was called home March 22, 2005; sister, Rose Mary Hill; son, C. L. Mitchell; granddaughter, Denise Beasley; grandson-in-law, Curt Ward; and niece Lisa McGaha.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of RiverOaks Health Campus and Gibson General 5th Floor for their dedication and love given to Gladys throughout the years.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2025 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Jim Saunders officiating and burial to follow at Columbia White Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be donated to First Baptist Church, 800 W. Faith Blvd., Princeton, IN 47670. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed, and memories shared online at colvinfuneralhome.com. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mitchell family.

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