Grace Mitchell

Grace Hope Mitchell, 89, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, February 6, 2014. She was born January 27, 1925 in Grandfield, Oklahoma. Grace was the last of six children born to Walter and Katie McClary. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Houston, Richard, Faith, John and Wendell.

As a young girl, Grace’s family moved to Vernon, Texas. At the age of 5 her father left; and as a result, her mother raised the six children alone. The oldest son, Houston, took on a great deal of responsibility in caring for and providing for his mother and younger siblings. Grace accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior when she was nine years old. She continued to live her life for the Lord, growing closer to her Savior and sharing her faith freely.

When Grace was 15 the family moved to Safford, Arizona where she graduated from high school. Following graduation she moved to Kansas City, Missouri and joined Temple Baptist Church. It was there that she met a handsome young man named Happy Opal Mitchell. They soon realized that they were both employed at the same WWII military airplane plant, where they were building B-25 Mitchell Bombers for the war effort. Grace’s job was a messenger and spent a good part each day wearing roller skates, delivering paperwork and mail throughout the plant. Their lunch breaks were often spent together hidden away inside an empty B-25 fuselage!

Happy and Grace were married on June 18, 1944 just 6 months after meeting. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Their example of what a perfect union looked like was an inspiration to everyone who knew them.

Grace and Happy started their family in Kansas City, Missouri and then moved to Altoona, Iowa in 1957. They were one of the seven original families that began the Southern Baptist work in central Iowa with the establishment of Crestwood Baptist Church. It was upon this church foundation that they raised their five children, who grew to love the Lord God and know the privilege of serving Him.

Grace enjoyed family vacations, boating, fishing and playing games. She was passionate about caring for her flowers and rock gardens. She spent many quiet mornings outside, tending the soil while God tended her heart. After retiring in 1986, Grace and Happy devoted many years as volunteers with the Iowa Campers on Mission group. They traveled to small churches in need of repairs and remodeling while growing spiritually themselves. These travels included precious time spent with old friends and opportunities to make new ones. Grace was such an easy person to love; she made lasting friendships where ever she went.

Grace Hope is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Happy Opal and children: Linda Jo (Steve) Nehring, Gail Patricia (Clarence) Goodell, Roger Paul (Sandy) Mitchell, April Lynn (Dave) Wright, and Libby (David) Miller; ten grandchildren: Ben and David Danielson, Devin, Matthew and Megan Mitchell, John, Tom and Katie Wright, Quincy and Derek Miller; great grandchildren: Mitchell and Austin Danielson and special grandchildren: Lance, Sheila and Julie Nehring and Alexis and
Courtney (Danielson) Wright.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Center at Luther Park for a piano in loving memory of Grace. 1555 Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50316

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