Ailene Mitchell

Potlucks, puppies, pink and passion – passion for life and for Jesus.   That’s just a glimpse of Ailene and the positive outlook she had on life.  Ailene Hall Mitchell, age 91, of Anderson, South Carolina died on March 23, 2024 after spending her last few years with dementia in assisted living and nursing home.

She was born in Belton, South Carolina in 1933 to Oscar and Blanche Hall and was one of seven siblings. She fondly remembers how well her parents nurtured and loved them into adulthood. Living all her life in the Anderson/Belton area, she thrived connecting with and supporting her extended family.

Ailene married her forever life partner, Eugene Vivian Mitchell on Sept 17, 1950.  Ailene was preceding in death by her loving husband in 2010 and her son Rusty in 2004.

Ailene and Gene were very active in their Southern Baptist churches, over the years, with Ailene frequently serving as Sunday School teacher.  Ailene loved children and often played and laughed like one of them.  She enjoyed having the youth group visit her lake house to fish, and playing scrabble, spoons or card games with her family and being best friends with all the neighborhood dogs. If you had the privilege of visiting her at the lake house, you would have seen rabbits in every room.   Ailene and Gene also served many years as emergency foster parents for children who needed living arrangements to avoid jail or detention centers.  Ailene also stayed young at heart by being a substitute school teacher.

Ailene will always be remembered for her happy disposition and welcoming smile. She was a great listener and loved to be engaged with her family, church members, neighbors and friends.  She talked to everyone sharing how Jesus was her best friend and she frequently shared her light with others.   

Ailene is joined in heaven with her husband, son, parents and siblings.   She is survived by numerous extended family members, especially her 10 nieces and nephews and their many children and grandchildren.  She will be missed as the link that put family gatherings and potlucks on the calendar.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Eureka Baptist Church on 04/27/2024 at 11:00am.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org) or the Good News Club (https://www.cefonline.com/ministries/goodnewsclub/).