Obituary of Brenda Hartley Mitchell

“A beautiful spirit… a beautiful mind” December 8, 1944 – July 20, 2006 At the break of dawn on Thursday, July 20, 2006, surrounded by loving family at her home, our beloved Brenda (Hall) Hartley-Mitchell peacefully slipped away in her sleep. Because she was always an early riser, God chose to have Brenda start the day bright and early with Him in her heavenly home. Brenda was born on December 8, 1944 in Ocala, FL and was 61 years old at the time her journey on this earth ended. Her grandparents Joseph and Bessie Hall, her mother Dora M. (Hall) Thomas, her stepfather Prince Thomas Sr., and her father William Henry Simms Sr. preceded her in death. Dorothy Thomas a sister, her brothers Travis Simms, Lavoid McNeil and Earl Simms and her grandson Anthony Campbell also preceded her in death. Brenda was reared as a devout Christian and was a Roman Catholic since 1946. She attended Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala and was christened as Brenda Theresa along with her sister Sheron and brother Prince Jr. in 1950. John D. Cochran, their godfather, rode the family to Sunday Mass by horse and buggy up until 1960. Brenda received her First Communion in 1952 and was confirmed in 1960. Brenda was educated in the public school system in Ocala (Marion County). She attended Primary School at Madison Street Elementary from 1950 – 1954 (1st to 4th grade). From 1954 –1958 she attended Howard Academy Elementary (5th to 8th grade). From 1958 – 1962 she attended Howard High School (9th to 12th grade), during which time she was in the Howard High School Marching Band. Brenda was an outstanding clarinet player. She was always an honor student and was inducted into the National Honor Society in the 11th grade. She graduated in the Howard High School Class of 1962. After graduating from high school she attended Hampton Junior College in Ocala for two years where she received an Associate of Arts degree in Business. Brenda started working for Central Life Insurance Company in 1961 under the supervision of Mr. Hansel Maxey. She worked there until 1965 when she was moved to Jacksonville, FL to work for Prudential Life Insurance Company. In 1980 she moved to Houston, TX with the same company and worked there until 1985 when the company closed the Houston office. In 1985 Brenda began working for the Bank of New York until her retirement in 2004, after 43 years of exemplary employment in Corporate America. Brenda married her childhood sweetheart, Alexander Hartley, Jr., in 1965. To them, two beautiful children were born (Alexander Hartley III and Alycia Tonique Hartley). In 1981, Brenda met and later married Opher L. “ Mitch” Mitchell whom she loved until the day the Lord called her home. Brenda was a very active member of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Houston, TX where she and husband Mitch married and nurtured the Christian beliefs of their children and grandchildren. Brenda leaves to celebrate and continue the spirit of her life her husband Opher Mitchell; seven children whom she loved and adored: sons Alexander Hartley, III (Paula) of Port Arthur, TX and David P. Wells (Amy) of Katy, TX; daughters Alycia T. Hartley of Houston, TX; Ella Johnson of Searcy, AR; Sella Simpson (Robert) of Dickinson, TX; Larine Mitchell and Jerlean Mitchell of Houston, TX. She also leaves twenty-three grandchildren who were the light of her life: Douglas Foster, Michael E. Riley, Taeisha Johnson, Melissa L. T. Hartley, April N. Mitchell, Malcom X. Dickey, Jamual D, Langham, Troy D, Dickey, Anthony Campbell (deceased), Alexander Hartley, IV, Brady Wells, Darrell C. Riley, Unique S. Dickey, Jazmine Hines, Ariel M. Campbell, D’vontae Smith, Passion I. Brown, Alexis N. Hartley, Dominique D. Brown, Brandon Wells, Abriana, L. Mitchell, Chayce Bouyett, and Jordan A. Hartley; and two great-grandchildren: Jailah Tyson and Deja Foster. Also celebrating her life and spirit are six sisters: Mary Sue Rich (Franklin) of Ocala, FL; Sheron H. Greene of Ocala, FL; Dr. Mary L. Thomas-Oliver (Daniel) of Brooksville, FL; Audrey Thomas Clark of Ocala, FL; Margaret Thomas Johnson (Gary) of Tallahassee, and stepsister Anita Faye (Simms) Grasty of Stamford, CT; three brothers: Prince Thomas, Jr. of Ocala, FL; Terry W. Thomas (Cassandra) of Springhill, FL; and William Henry Simms, Jr. of Columbia, SC. Her stepmother, Carrie “Bonnie” Simms of Stamford, CT is also left to cherish her memories, along with a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors and many caring friends including a special cousin, Mary Staley Rice. Family & friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boone Rd. in Houston (281) 498-4653, immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd. in Houston. A memorial service will be held for family, friends and members of the Howard High School Class of 1962 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 5 S.E. 17th St. in Ocala, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Clayton Funeral & Cemetery Services, 5530 W. Broadway in Pearland, TX (281) 485-4446, is in charge of arrangements.