Mary Louise Land Mitchell

SERVICES: WEDNESDAY,MARCH 16, 201611:00 A.M.CLARKS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCHVISITATION: TUESDAY,MARCH 15, 20165:00-8:00 P.M.MCCLAIN-HAYS FUNERAL HOMEINTERMENT:CLARKS CHAPEL CEMETERYOFFICIATING:REV. DAVID KELLERREV. MICHAEL SIMS Mary Louise Land Mitchell began her journey on August 7, 1937.  Her two grandfathers, Dr. M.H. Clark and Dr. W.A. Land, delivered her at home, in Kemper County, MS.  Mary Lou was the daughter of Mrs. Eloise Clark Land and Mr. J. Chandler Land.  She was a graduate of Cleveland Consolidated High School in Kemper County, where she earned the honor of being named Class Valedictorian.  For Mary Lou, nursing was always her calling.  She entered the University of Mississippi and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Nursing.  As a UMCC graduate, class of 1959, she could claim the unique distinction of being in the very first nursing class to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi.  After graduating with honors, she came back home to Kemper County and began her nursing career at The Kemper County Hospital.  She then went on to serve the children of Kemper County as a school nurse for the entire Kemper County School System.  She also nursed at doctors’ offices before she entered her mission field as a public health nurse for the Kemper County Health Department.   She remained there until her retirement in 1997.  Mary Lou was an active member of the Mississippi Nurses Association, The University of Mississippi Alumni Association, and The DeKalb Civic League.  She belonged to Clarks Chapel United Methodist Church of the Cleveland Charge.  She served as church and charge treasurer for nearly 50 years.  Singing was her passion.  She sang for weddings, funerals and in every church cantata.   Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents, Eloise and Chandler Land.  She is survived by her soul mate and husband of 57 years, Willie Jim Mitchell; two daughters, Betty Cossar and husband George of Senatobia, MS and Barbara Hilton and husband Wesley of Mendenhall, MS.  She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Mack Alan Land, and his wife, Diane, of Memphis, TN; their threedaughters, Stephanie Land of Memphis, TN, Allison Stevens of Sumter, SC and, Elizabeth Albright of Los Angles, CA. She is also survived by the true loves of her life, her four grandchildren: Mary Chandler Cossar, Elizabeth Mitchell Cossar, Ellie Carol Hilton and George Payne Cossar IV (Chip). Pallbearers were Wesley Hilton, Greg Mitchell, Bruce Mitchell, George Cossar, Chip Cossar, Rusty Ethridge, Clark Ethridge, Chris Ethridge, John May and Bill Clay. Memorials may be made to the Cemetery Fund of Clarks Chapel United Methodist Church, 14063 Hwy. 495 S., DeKalb, MS 39328 or the charity of your choice.