Mr. George Pearry Mitchell

George Pearry Mitchell, beloved father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend, was born November 5, 1943 in Chicago, and passed away on June 24, 2023, with his hand held and surrounded by family. From early childhood to his passing, he was fondly known to others as "Scrappy". He met the love of his life Patricia at Wendell Phillips High School. George grabbed the starting quarterback position at Phillips as a sophomore, and never gave it up. Smitten by Pat, he also became active in high school theater to spend more time with her. After graduating in 1961, he began college at Howard University, while Pat went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. George joined Pat in Carbondale and continued his education. The two became active civil rights advocates and married in 1965, a union that lasted until Pat's passing in 2012.

George and Pat moved from Carbondale to Chicago, and then in 1976 to the Evanston/Skokie community with children Byron and Lisa. They remained pillars of the community for the remainder of their lives, fighting for equality in education, housing, and employment, and always from a foundation as Episcopalian servants of Christ. They were members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Skokie, where George was Senior Warden, and then St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Evanston until each of their passing.

George was formerly employed by the Illinois State Police, and then worked for Commonwealth Edison for over a quarter-century, ascending to several Director-positions including Director of Diversity before retiring in 1997. George's second career, one of service to others, began in earnest after his retirement. He became increasingly active with the Midwest Community Council, Evanston School Districts 65 and 202, the Evanston NAACP (past President), Illinois NAACP (past President), Skokie Caucus Party (many Committees/Commissions), The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (past President), The Community Solution Education System (multiple Boards and Committees), and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Evanston Alumni Chapter (past Polemarch). His lifetime dedication and commitment to fairness in education, community policing, diversity, and equality in all aspects of life predominated throughout, and he never hesitated to shatter a glass ceiling.

George's legacy continues with his surviving: children Byron Mitchell, Esq. (Dr. Natasha Noel) and Lisa Herbert (Donnell); grandchildren Trinity Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell and Jaden Shillingford; brother Joseph Hill Jr. (Cheryl), sister Carmeryl Hill-Macon (Bob), brother Very Rev. Canon H. Gregory Smith; cousins Jay Hedgemon (Artice), Dr. Helen Hedgemon, Jeffrey Hedgemon (Lolita), Melanie Hedgemon, and Marjorie Booker; other cousins, nieces and nephews; and countless others who he was proud to call friends. He will be dearly missed by all of us. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director

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