Reta Gayle (Brown) Mitchell Obit

Mrs. Mitchell was born in Shattuck, Oklahoma on June 23, 1954, to Oren Mandel and Bonnie Louise (Bouse) Brown. Growing up near Arnett, Oklahoma, Reta graduated from Arnett High School in 1972. Continuing her education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, she met H.C. “Bunny” Mitchell, and they were married, in Shattuck, on August 13, 1973, and spent thirty-nine wonderful years together before her untimely death. With Reta taking summer school courses and fast-tracking, she caught up with Bunny so they could graduate together. In 1975, Reta and Bunny began teaching at Olustee School, where they completed thirty-six years, retiring in May of this year. Reta was all about her family and students; she completed her master’s degree and was always enthused about teaching her seven through twelfth grade science classes, even to the point of grading papers, while in the hospital, five months ago. A member of the First Baptist Church of Eldorado, Reta loved her family and students, but found time for reading to herself and her grandchildren, horseback riding, teaching Sunday school class and being involved in every school activity that time would allow.

Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband, Bunny Mitchell, of the home, in Olustee; two children, Derrick Mitchell and wife Ashley of Olustee and Tiffany Almanza and husband Jonathan of Olustee; four grandchildren, Gracelynn Gayle Mitchell, Addisynn Aimee Mitchell, Jonathan Erik Almanza, Jayden Nathaniel Almanza and one grandson on the way; two sisters, Anabelle Buller and husband Jerry of Arnett and Linda Fox and husband Frank of Arnett; two brothers, Mandel Brown of Arnett and Bobbie Jo Brown and wife Donna of Arnett along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends and former students.

Funeral services for Reta Mitchell will be at 10 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2012, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel, in Altus, with Pastor Pete Wylie officiating. Interment will follow at Independence Cemetery, in northwest Harmon County, under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.