“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”. Jeremiah 29:11

FORMATIVE YEARS By divine appointment, Shannon Rachel Mitchell entered this world March 9, 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Mitchell, Jr. and Mrs. Glenda Andrews Mitchell. Shannon was very inquisitive at an early age therefore we called her Shannon the Inquisitive One. Because of her aptitude and zest for knowledge, her Aunt, Evangelist Catherine Andrew took her under her wings to mold her little inquisitive mind to think critically. Hence, Shannon’s ability to absorb and comprehend massive amounts of data continued to be impressive, so much so, in middle school it inspired her teacher to have her evaluated to determine as she suspected, as “Gifted”. Thus, Shannon, “The inquisitive One” maintained superlative academic honors throughout her educational career path.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Shannon was blessed to attend the most prestigious and diverse schools in New Orleans. She was offered a full academic scholarship to attend Isidore Newman, the finest private school in the city of New Orleans. Prompted by her inquisitive nature, Shannon’s desire to experience the education provided to children of other cultures motivated her to enroll in several high schools in the city. She went from Benjamin Franklin Magnet High School to McMain Magnet and eventually graduated from The West Jefferson High School in Harvey, Louisiana in 1999 which is her Dad’s Alma Mata. After graduating High School, Shannon was eager for the higher learning experience therefore her first experience was a HBU - Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Rust College with honors. (Cum Laude) Currently, Shannon was in the pursuit of her master’s degree in education from Mathematics at Relay College of Education in Tennessee. What a blessing it would be if she receives her master’s degree Posthumously.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS The vivacious Shannon Rachel Mitchell was gracious, kind to a fault, loved wholeheartedly and lived life to bless others. Her approach to the professional world was similar. She was young, gifted and full of energy. She had an acute ability to adapt in diverse environments and respect for different cultures. She was commended for her strong leadership and management skills. She was organized and gives great attention to details and works well with others, as per her Professional Evaluations. Shannon’s career focus was working with High School College Prep students. She was proficient as a Numeracy Instructional Coach, Geometry Instructor, RTI2 Assessment Leader, Biology Instructor; Director of Summer Academy at Citadel of Deliverance COGIC; Substitute Teacher-Memphis City Schools; Private Home School Teacher/Tutor and Teacher Assistant-Rust College, Holly Spring, Mississippi. Ms. Mitchell develop teaching strategies to improve effective teaching; Created tiered lessons for differential instruction; Instructional Coach in collaboration with teachers on instructional planning; and she created supportive professional learning communities.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Shannon was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her true mission was to serve, to empower and to make an impact on all those she has encountered through many community service efforts such as, tutoring, mentoring, and hosting events like college fairs. She also served as a Community Service Tutor/After School Program Coordinator from August 2008 to 2014 at Citadel of Deliverance COGIC in Memphis, TN, assisting children in the community and the church with various subjects: Math, Science, English, History, and other projects. While she served as the College Fair Coordinator from August 2007 to July 2011 for the International Youth Department of the Church Of God In Christ, Shannon coordinated a college fair for over 3,000 college bound girls and boys on a national and regional level. She helped recruit over 85 universities and colleges from across the country over a five-year period, and constructed scholarship programs and funds for a variety of colleges and universities for youth that qualified.

MY ELDEST DAUGHTER Shannon the “Inquisitive One” could always brighten any room. She would light up any room as she entered. She was always with welcoming arms never judging but accepting everyone. Shannon was the ultimate optimist; she believed the best even when she could see contradiction in her sight. Shannon was a Lover of people, Lover of God, and a Lover of Life. She never met a stranger, even as little child she was articulate when she had comprehended the English Language. She had a poor habit of tapping strangers and when I was not watching, she would introduce herself, “Hi, My Name is Shannon” “What’s Your Name?” She could be quite precocious. I remember scolding her at around six years old telling her she could not do what she wanted to. Her obedience house is, she had to follow the rules and if she could not do that, she would have to live somewhere else. As I am now, continuing to call for her, with no avail, look through the house, to avail. I open the door and I see a little girl with a brown paper bag. Shannon is walking down the street at night and she goes half the block before I know she gone. So, I asked her what you are doing, she says, “I am leaving, you said if can’t do right I can’t stay with you”. It was then, I really understood the intelligence of this little person. My Shannon who names means “one who is wise”.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT As a young woman, Shannon Rachel Mitchell accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior under the leadership of the Late Bishop Joseph Anthony Thompson of Gretna, Louisiana. All formative year at Thompson Temple Shannon was filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 13 years old. After matriculating through college Shannon relocated to the city Memphis and in 2003, she joined the Citadel of Deliverance Church of God in Christ. Her desire was to serve and to help young people to be successful in every aspect of their lives. She was an active member of the Youth and Young Adult Choirs and the Instructor of the Future Generation Team. She received her Evangelist/Missionary Credentials in March 2015. Shannon joined Soul Winners Church under the leadership of Pastor Andrew and Andrea Singleton on July 8, 2018, and was a member until her untimely transition…..from labor to reward. She was an intricate part of Soul Winners Church and served faithfully, being connected to the youth and young adult group as well as the singles group. Shannon worked closely with Pastor Singleton as the Administrative Assistant of his personal ministry A.C Singleton Ministries and was appointed as Director of Ministries for Soul Winners Church with the responsibility of managing the activities of each active ministry of Soul Winners Church. Shannon was proud of her church family and didn’t mind saying in her way “I’m with Singleton". Her contagious personality could not be resisted, and she impacted everyone in Soul Winners Church. Most recently, Shannon was appointed as the Assistant to the International Youth Department Administrative Assistant Tahiti Tinsley. She was a true servant of Christ.

NECROLOGY Shannon Rachel Mitchell was born to the union of Mr. Samuel Mitchell, Jr. and Mrs. Glenda Andrews Mitchell on March 9, 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the eldest of three daughters. Her sisters: Sherkeitha Dontrell, Saquez Arne’ Mitchell and God Sister Regeriica King. Shannon was a well beloved and gracious young woman who loved the Lord.

Shannon Rachel Mitchell departed this life on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the age of 38. She was preceded in death by her Grandmothers, Juanita Andrews and Febbie Newell; Grandfathers, Polite and Samuel Mitchell, Sr.; Aunts, Catherine Andrews and Elaine Mitchell; Uncles, Al Andrews, Dennis Wayne Mitchell, and Gregory Mitchell.

Shannon Rachel Mitchell leaves to cherish her memory: Her Parents, Brother Samuel Mitchell, Jr. and Evangelist Glenda Andrews Mitchell of Memphis, Tennessee; two sisters, Sherkeitha Mitchell and Saquez Mitchell; her nephew, Samuel Mitchell, III; Uncles, Melvin Andrews(Donnie), Larry Andrews(Linder), Daryl Andrews(Veronica), Lee Andrews(Vicki), John Andrews(Paulette); Aunt Laverne Jones; Cousins, Pamela Johnson, Alton Jones, Keith Jones, Rakaisha Mitchell, Roderic Mitchell, Brandon Mitchell, Desmond Mitchell, Devin Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Randy Andrews, Roland Andrews, John Andrews, Quintrell Andrews, Daryl Andrews, Jr., Nicolas Andrews, Brittany Andrews, Ariel Andrews, Leslie Yancy, Larry Andrews, Jr., Lashonna Johnson, Cartrell Andrews, Tracy, Darryl Jones, and Asjah Alvaris; Godfather Rogers Davis, two God Children Faith Thompson, Hermione Monet Jonhnson, Kaydon Jaxson Davis, , many Friends, Sorors, Co-workers, and a host of students that have been impacted by her life.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:55 am on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 5151 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN. Funeral service will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday at Greater Community Temple COGIC. Interment will be in Memorial Park Southwoods, Memphis, TN.