Doris "Dodie" Mitchell

Doris Camille Mitchell was known to the world as "Dodie." It would be hard not to love a woman like her. She was beautiful. She didn't have a selfish bone in her body. She genuinely had faith in the goodness of others and she wouldn't give up on anyone. The year was 1939 and Gone With the Wind and the Wizard of Oz were just hitting the Silver Screen. The ball games and big bands could be heard on the radio. In Grand Haven, Michigan, Lue and Stella (Hardy) Fairbanks were too busy tending to their new addition to notice much extra entertainment. On February 4, 1939, Stella gave birth to their second daughter, Dodie. Dodie's older sister Linda welcomed her into the family and ten years later, their baby sister, Ruth Ann was born. Their father, Lue, who was a musician and an arranger, nick named Ruth Ann, Gussie. He was a saxophone player who played in different big bands all over the area. Although he didn't make a lot of money, over the years, he met many famous musicians. Stella helped make ends meet for the family by taking a job at Kroger. While Dodie grew up the family moved to Muskegon where they lived on Jackson Hill. Dodie played with her classmates at Froebel Elementary School. Later, the family moved to Twin Lake and then to Holton, Michigan. Despite the many changes, Dodie remained an excellent student and she graduated second in her class. She was also an athlete and she enjoyed competing on the basketball and softball teams. Somehow, she also found time to be a cheerleader. Dodie's social life filled up when she began dating the captain of the football team. After graduation, she enrolled at Muskegon Business College. She was hired as a secretary for Geerpress Ringer and she showed her self to be a well organized and dedicated employee. A few years later she decided to spread her wings and head out to California to attend college. A year later she decided she'd rather be home and she moved back to Muskegon where she moved in with her big sister, Linda and her husband Ron. In was 1960 when Dodie settled back into town. She went out to Club 87 where she met the handsome Ken Mitchell. Dodie was a beautiful woman and it was no wonder that she caught Ken's eye. He was a great looking gentleman in a 1950's DA hair cut who took her breath away. The night of their first date, Ken showed up in a blue blaze won her heart. After six months, Ken married Dodie at Central Lutheran Church where Dodie was a member. Dodie was thrilled to be a young bride and she just knew that the two of them would make beautiful babies. Ken was drafted into the Army so they packed up and moved to Ft. Cambell, Kentucky. While they were there, Dodie gave birth to their son, Ken Jr. In 1964 Ken was discharged and the family returned to Muskegon where he began working at Misco. In 1965, their second son, Darin arrived, and in 1968, their son, Scott completed the family. With their four-year-old, three year old and one-year-old sons, Ken and Dodie packed up the car and headed to the Bay Area of California, but not before they ran out of gas while still in Muskegon. Needless to say, it was a hot, long and loud drive for the Mitchell family. The tried it out west until 1973 and then they moved to Cleveland, New Jersey, back to California and finally in 1979 they returned to Muskegon. With all the moves, Dodie usually found a job wherever doing whatever to help with the finances. 1979 was the year Dodie's marriage to Ken ended. Although the marriage split, Dodie and Ken remained friends. As a single mom, Dodie was busy working both outside and inside the home. She found work for ten years at Fisher Steel, then worked at Muskegon County Community Mental Health for ten more years. She was a great worker. She was a fast typist, always loved her work and often took work home with her. When she retired, her boys didn't know how the company would go on without her. As a mom, Dodie was simply the best. The boys got in trouble here and there but in her eyes they could never do anything wrong. They knew her love was unconditional and that she would always be there for them when they needed her. Dodie made sure they had what they needed. Her sister, Gussie would have to persuade her to spend a little money on herself from time to time, at least to buy new clothes. The boys grew up and blessed Dodie with eight grandchildren. Dodie made sure to be at many of their activities and take care of them as they grew. She took her grandsons out to construction sites to enjoy all the trucks and dirt. A few times the granddaughters came along and just didn't get it. She was always ready with her camera to savor the special moments with family and friends. Every Sunday, she would cook a nice dinner for the family to come and enjoy together. Life was too slow for Dodie after retirement so she started working part time at the Beacon Care Home. She also spent time with her friends in the Quixotic Quilters group. Her grandchildren grew up and surprised her with two wonderful great grandchildren. Her life was full! Nine years ago Dodie was diagnosed with cancer. She was on many medications and had some difficulties but she never complained. She wanted to enjoy every experience life offered her. Dodie was a sentimental, heartwarming mother, grandmother and friend. She was the best of friends with her baby sister, Gussie and together they shared many priceless memories. Dodie knew how to enjoy people in her life and the memories she leaves behind will be a reminder of her love. Dodie will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Doris "Dodie" Mitchell, age 67, died Friday, June 23, 2006. Her family includes her 3 sons, Ken (Betsy Hoover) Mitchell, Jr. of Muskegon, Darin Mitchell of Norton Shores, Scott (Maureen) Mitchell of Montague; 8 grandchildren, Aaron, Amanda, Allison, Amber, Bethany, Ryliegh, Macy, Morgan; 2 great grandchildren, Cameren, Katelynn; sister, Ruth Ann "Gussie" (Jack) Nowak; brother, John H. Fairbanks of CA; brother-in-law, Ron Dykman of Norton Shores; former husband, Ken Mitchell Sr. of Muskegon. She was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Dykman in 2001. Service will be held onWednesday, June 28, 2006, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Julie Armour officiating. Interment at Norton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit Dodie's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign the online guest book.