Betty Mitchell

Betty Jane was born on October 1, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Based on John 11: 11-13, like Lazarus and so many before, Betty fell asleep on June 24, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Dorethea Francis of Bridgeport. She was a very quiet & shy child. She was one of eight children.

From the time she was a girl, family was important to her. Through the years, she shared many childhood stories of what life was like growing up with her siblings and cousins. In 1961, she graduated from Central High School. In 1962, she started a family of her own.

One afternoon, at a gathering of neighborhood friends and acquaintances, Betty would meet the late Edward Mitchell. He had recently relocated from Selma, Alabama, and was new to the city of Bridgeport. Edward and Betty were married in November of 1962. Their marriage lasted more than 56 years ‘til Edward fell asleep in death in May of 2019.

Edward and Betty would become the parents of five children: Tanese Randall, Marshelle Mitchell, Tawana Young (Peter) Edward Mitchell, II & Marcus Mitchell. Betty loved her children and wanted the best for her family. In 1969, she agreed to have a Bible Study. Sister Tomasina Brown (known affectionately in the 60’s to many in Betty’s neighborhood as Bible Brown) knocked on Betty’s door, sharing scriptures and offering her the opportunity to enjoy a happier “family life”. 

She made a personal dedication to Jehovah and was baptized as a Witness in March of 1971. She was a faithful and loyal sister for over 51 years. Despite all of her secular accomplishments and personal struggles, her love for and faith in Jehovah, and her spiritual beliefs were ALWAYS top priority!

Betty relocated to Boston in 1973 after her husband Edward had accepted a job in Massachusetts.

Betty is survived by four siblings: Doris Whethington, Octancia Francis, Octavia Brown, and Bernard Francis. She is also survived by five children, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and hundreds of friends who are part of her spiritual family… She is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Darlene Byrd and Sharon Gerry. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, the late Robert and Dorethea Francis, two sisters - Rosalie Forbes and DeArchie Snipes, one brother - James Moore (& his late wife, Paula - her dear sister-in-law). Her late brother-in-law, James Whethington, Sr, And her late son-in-law, Kenneth Randall, Sr

Though Betty has fallen asleep in death, it is fitting to consider one of her favorite scriptures in the Bible. JOHN 11:25 - Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life…