Doris Mitchell

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Doris Brown Mitchell

 
     Doris Brown Mitchell was born on July 17, 1942, in Cleveland, MS to the late Mr. Willie and
Mrs. Willia Mae Brown as the second child of ten children. On October 12, 2023, Doris was
in Collierville, TN when she transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal home in heaven.
Doris confessed her hope in Christ Jesus at the age of twelve years old at Mt. Olive Missionary
Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Bryant Eatmon. She served as a Sunday school
teacher, Treasurer, and President of the usher board. Doris later in her life became a member of
The Old St. Phillip Baptist Church where she remained faithful serving on the Pastor’s Aide
committee. 
     Doris is a 1961 graduate of East Side High School, home of the Trojans, where she graduated
with honors. She received numerous awards in bookkeeping and business writing under the
guidance of Ms. Ruth Janet Smith, who always encouraged her to set goals and aim high. 
Doris entered holy matrimony with Archie R. Mitchell and together they raised a beautiful God
fearing daughter, Mrs. Gloria Mitchell Lawton- Wilson. 
     Doris’ nursing career began during the opening of the East Bolivar County Hospital in 1962
where she was employed as a Nurse Aide. She completed her Practical Nurse training at
Mississippi Valley College in Itta Bena, MS. She also completed her Registered Nurse training at
Mississippi Delta Junior College in Moorhead, MS. Doris later obtained her Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner degree at the University Of Mississippi School Of Nursing in Jackson, MS. In 1975,
Doris received the “Nurse of the Year” award for being outstanding in the field of nursing,
being a member of the nursing association, being active in community affairs, and most
importantly, being admired and respected by her colleagues and supervisors. 
     Doris also served as PTA secretary at H.M. Nailor Elementary and President of the East
Side High School PTSA. She also worked along with East Side High School band director, Mr.
James Stamps, as a liaison for District 4 in getting school bond issues passed. She also served as
an advisor for the Explorer Post 307, which she received a Red Cross nursing pin for
volunteering and serving in the community disasters. Doris served on the following
committees: Mississippi Nurses’ Board Association, Chairman of the scholarship board, and the
Bolivar County Nurses’ Association. Doris was also elected to serve as a Registered Nurse
provider for the Region 4 Health System Agency Council. She was also employed by the Bolivar
County Head Start as Director of Health Services. 
     Doris received her doctoral degree in Medical Administration from Graceland College in
Lamoni, Iowa. In 1976, Doris went into private practice in Cleveland, MS and Clarksdale, MS as
a Certified Nurse Practitioner and CEO Administrator of Children’s Acceleration Program, Inc.
until she retired in 2010. After retiring Doris was employed with Word of Deliverance Hospice
as Director of Quality Assurance from 2010 until 2014. 
     She is preceded in death by her husband, Archie R. Mitchell, her parents, Willie and Willia Mae
Brown, three brothers, Albert Charles Brown Sr., Edgar Brown, and James Ellis Brown, three

sisters, Mary Catherine Brown, Annie P. Brown Williams, and Clementine Brown Jackson, two
nephews, Bishop Leonard C. Brown and Albert Charles  Brown Jr, and one niece, Reba Lasha
Brown. 
     Doris leaves to cherish her loving memories, one daughter Mrs. Gloria M. Lawton-Wilson
 (Lawrence), one granddaughter Angel L. Lawton  of Farmers Branch, TX, one great-
granddaughter, Bella Dean Lawton  of Farmers Branch, TX, four god-daughters Jacqueline
Banks- Dorrough of Garland, TX, Regina Teague Thigpen of Lithia Springs, GA, Rosemary
Matthews of Lawrenceville, GA and Angeline Sutton of Jackson, MS, one grand-godson Mario
Giles of Cleveland, MS, two sisters, Bobbye Scott (Elbert) of Renova, MS, Lure Berry (Daryl) of
Jackson, MS, one brother Herman Brown (Julia) of Jackson, MS, one aunt Mrs. Emma
Richardson of Jackson, MS, three sisters-in law, Bernice Mitchell of Cleveland, MS,  Alice
Mitchell Cross of Norristown, PA, Annette Hemphill Mitchell of Renova, MS, four brother in
laws, Seymour Mitchell of Cleveland, MS, Jimmy Mitchell and  Quinton Mitchell both of
Chicago, IL,  Earl Jackson of Cleveland, MS, a former son in law, Phillip B. Lawton of
Cleveland, MS, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.