Mrs. Doretha Winston Mitchell, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, peacefully departed this life on August 20, 2025 at the age of 86. Doretha was born on July 1, 1939 in Davidson County, North Carolina to the late James and Katherine Hargrave Winston.

The third of seven children, she was known for her aversion to playtime, but that didn't prevent her from watching her siblings' youthful antics with joy and laughter. During her youth, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior, beginning a lifelong journey of faith. As a child, she joined First Baptist Church in Southmont, North Carolina, using her melodic soprano voice in worship service or with her brothers and sisters on the family's front porch. As an adult, she was a faithful member of New Ahoskie Baptist Church.

Her early education began in Davidson County. She later transferred to the North Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating in 1957. Continuing her studies at North Carolina Central University, she completed her undergraduate degree in 1961.

Doretha worked for 24 years as a teacher in the Hertford County School System, touching countless lives at Robert L. Vann and Ahoskie High School. Her belief in education and its benefits was also reflected to her family as she supported countless relatives' academic and vocational pursuits, providing moral and financial support to achieve their dreams.

Her greatest joy was family. Moving to Hertford County in 1961, she met the love of her life, Dr. Harold Mitchell, uniting in holy matrimony on March 23, 1963. Their union produced two sons, Glenn J. and Darrin C. Known for doting on her boys, ensuring their needs were met and their aspirations encouraged, she was a "boy mom" long before it was popular. This parental love extended to her grandchildren.

Though she led an amazing life, it was not without hardships. Despite losing her vision and other major health challenges, she was always upbeat and optimistic. Despite never possessing a driver's license, you could find her traveling, shopping or attending her grandchildren's sporting and extracurricular events. Doretha loved people and was always up for a good, lengthy conversation, because in her words, she was "a woman of details."

Many things about her will be missed: her infectious laugh and ability to multi-task as both conversationalist and listener; answering the telephone with what sounded like a smile in her voice; being on the telephone talking a traveling relative to their destination, no matter the distance; the way she hummed as she walked down a hallway; the empathy she gave; and the wisdom she shared. All this and so much more will be missed.

Though she's departed, her legacy lives on in those who were blessed to have known and loved her. Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Harold Mitchell; sisters, Shirley Williams and Annie Mae Crook; and her brother, Bobby G. Winston.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Glenn Mitchell (Brenda) and Darrin Mitchell (Tekeisha); eight grandchildren: Wayne Robinson, Jantzen Mitchell, William Robinson (Anjelica), Jason Mitchell (Latoria), Jared Mitchell (Alison), Jordan Mitchell, Ian Mitchell, and Makayla Mitchell; six great-grandchildren, Jayden Robinson, Emerie Mitchell, Laila Mitchell, Cali Rose Robinson, Theodore Mitchell and Lennox Mitchell. She is also survived by one brother, Clinton Winston (Peggy); two sisters, Brenda S. Moore (George) and Betty Griffin (Curtis, deceased); sisters-in-law: Sherol Bass, Cynthia Robbins, Gloria Parker; brothers-in-law, Ira Mitchell (Rhonda), Thomas Williams; aunts, Aquilla Sampson and Josephine Hargrave; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, former students, church members, and friends who loved her dearly.