Gina Mitchell

Gina Ann Mitchell was born June 6, 1958, in Michigan City, IN to James Isaac and Josephine Thompson.

She united with Jesus Christ at a very early age and was a member of Bethel AME Church. There she served faithfully in the youth department on the Junior Usher Board, as the treasurer of Sunday school and in Christian Education. 

Gina always loved teaching and nurturing children. She began working with children at the age of 16 years old by volunteering for the Head Start Program in Michigan City, IN. Immediately upon graduating from Elston Senior High School in 1976, Gina continued to work for the Head Start Program in Michigan City, IN starting out as an aide alongside Ms. Dora Mae Allison. Gina then became a full-time teacher for the Head Start Program and devoted 40 plus years to serving children and families in her hometown of Michigan City. After leaving Head Start in 2018 Gina continued her work of teaching children at C.A.R.E Learning Center in Michigan City, IN. From her work with children, she impacted many generations of families and has a large extended family. Gina attended and obtained her Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Michigan College in April of 2000. 

Gina was a beautiful and spirited person with an infectious love for life. Gina was a member of her high school choir and always had a love for fashion. She was always well dressed and worked part-time at Carson Pirie Scott for many years.

She enjoyed shopping and would go on all day shopping sprees with her daughters! She loved raising and nurturing her children. She was blessed with 4 daughters: Racquel, Brandice, Florece, and Teveyea. Family was very important to her. She had many friends locally. 

She never met a stranger that she wasn’t willing to talk to and these conversations often turned into teachable moments. She always made time for the people that she loved. She loved to take rides to Washington Park and watch the waves. She enjoyed talking on the phone with her family and friends and watching singing and cooking competitions. Gina enjoyed home décor and making sure her house felt like a home. 

Gina departed this life on November 1, 2022.  She was preceded in death by her parents: James Isaac and Josephine Thompson, grandmother: Gladys Manuel, and brother: Glen Thompson.

She leaves to cherish a lifetime of memories to her children: Racquel Gordon (Walter) of Atlanta, GA, Brandice McNeal (Von) of Indianapolis, IN, Florece Mitchell-Herron (Christopher) of Indianapolis, IN, and Teveyea Mitchell of Indianapolis, IN; Brother: Wayne Thompson of Michigan City, IN, and Special cousin/Sister: Dorothy Kelley of Michigan City, IN; Grandchildren: Courtlyn Anderson, Kobie McNeal, Walter Gordon IV, Jayden Mitchell, Gabrielle McNeal, Emeril Gordon, Chancelor Gordon, Mylz Anderson, Cache Johnson, Chrystan McNeal, and Zari Dube; Beloved friends: Jackie Allison, Charmain McCollough, Dorothy Moore, Cherry Edwards, Frances Metcalf, and her entire Head Start and C.A.R.E Learning Center family along with a host of cherished cousins, friends, family, and students. 

A  Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11am at New Hope Baptist Church 730 W 6th St. Michigan City, Indiana 46360 with Pastor Jacarra M. Williams to do Eulogy. 

Gina’s love, laughter, smile, and presence will be sorely missed by all that knew her. 

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