Nov. 22, 1948 – Dec. 1, 2011

HARRISONBURG, La. — Services for Jean Elaine Lawrence Mitchell, 63, of Harrisonburg, La., who died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Jena, La., will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg with the Rev. Cory Bruce officiating.

Burial will follow at Harrisonburg Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home in Jonesville.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the church.

Mrs. Mitchell was born Nov. 22, 1948, in New Orleans, the daughter of the Rev. William Lawrence and Jeanette C. Lawrence. She was a proud member of First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg for the past 42 years. She loved her church family and spent countless hours decorating the church’s bulletin boards and changing the church sign.

Jean was a graduate of Pineville High School and Louisiana College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She retired as a school teacher with more than 28 years of teaching.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and stepfather, Evariste “Reese” Poissot Jr.

Survivors include her husband of 42 years, David; three sons, Jeremy and wife, Erica, of Destrehan, La., Jason of Gonzales, La., and Jarrod and wife, Christie, of Benton, La.; one sister, Shirley Maldonado and husband, Chico, of Ball, La.; one brother, David Lawrence and wife, Wilma, of Mechanicsville, Va.; five grandchildren, Shelby, Taylor and McKenzie, all of Destrehan and Kelly; four nieces, Amber, April, Cheryl and Jennifer; and two nephews, Adam and Chad.

Pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church-Harrisonburg, P.O. Box 707, Harrisonburg, LA 71340.

Online condolences may be sent to www.youngsfh.com.