Jane T. Mitchell, state Grange leader

Jane T. Mitchell, 83, of Lewes, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at Harbor Healthcare, Lewes. She was born in Laecock Township, Pa., Dec. 26, 1928, daughter of the late Stoy and Rachael (Elmer) Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lowder W. Mitchell; and one son, William T. Mitchell.

Mrs. Mitchell was a member of the Henlopen Grange No. 20 in Lewes. During her years with the Grange she also served at the state level for eight years as master and was the first female to ever hold this title. Her accomplishments were many and included being instrumental in the development of the Farmland Preservation Act; working with the State legislature to prepare legislation for the creation of the Delaware Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation of which she served as a board member for several years; working to bring the FFA back to the Cape Henlopen School District; working to bring the FFA into the Harrington Fair Grange Dinner Pavilion to assist with events; being a driving force in the conversion of the Angola Grange Hall into Dry Dock. Also, in 1992 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women.

She is survived by three sons: James Lee Mitchell and wife Janet of Georgetown, Robert P. Mitchell of Seaford and Jerry L. Mitchell and wife Myra of Lewes; a daughter-in-law, Wanda L. Mitchell of Lewes; seven grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a sister, Virginia Johnson of St. Augustine, Fla.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 7, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6. Burial will follow the services at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 or to Henlopen Grange No. 20, 32149 Oak Drive, "The Oaks" Lewes, DE  19958-3662.

Please visit Mrs. Mitchell's Life Memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com