Lela Mae (Nelson) Mitchell

Life’s Reflections

Lela Mae Mitchell was born Lela Mae Nelson on April 8, 1932 in Kansas City, Missouri to Andrew and Alverta (Oakley) Nelson.  She was the youngest of six children (five daughters; and one son).

After graduating from high school, she married Francis Thorne and that union produced six children (two daughters and four sons). After that marriage dissolved Lela Mae met and fell in love with Lois Clayton with whom she and her children moved to California where they were married until his death.  That union produced two daughters.

After raising her children, she went to Business College for data entry but ended up working in the healthcare industry for over 20 years as a CNA until she retired and remarried again and moved back to Kansas City, Missouri in 1997.

Lela Mae knew and loved the Lord and became a member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church until the Lord called her to become a member of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church where her daughter and grandchildren were members.

Lela Mae Mitchell will be greatly missed and is preceded in death by her parents; her five siblings; and her daughter, Veeneeta Ann Clayton. 

She is survived by her seven children, Mae F. Battle; Bobby J. Thorne; Lee E. Thorne; Lynn E. Thorne; Darrell G. Thorne; Gay P. McGee; Tonia Y. Clayton-Belle; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren, two great-great grandsons; nephews; nieces; and a host of family; and friends.

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