A Service of Resurrection and Thanksgiving to God for Dr. George Key Mitchell

Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church

A Service of Resurrection and Thanksgiving to God for Dr. George Key Mitchell

May 2, 2024

Dr. George Key Mitchell was born in Sheridan, Arkansas on June 15, 1931. He passed away on April 29, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents Coats A. and Jessie Lee Mitchell and his brother Allan. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martha, and his son Adam (Kristie) granddaughters Quinn and Peri Mitchell, son Loyd (Kim) and his sons Loyd Jr, (Jessica), Daniel (Karen), granddaughter Sophia , and Alex, daughter Lee Ellen Carroll( Chuck) and her sons Andrew (Amanda) grandsons Cooper and Tripp, and Chad Carroll.

George was a kind, considerate, intelligent person. While he might have been the smartest person in the room, you would never know it as George focused on others first, versus himself. He loved his family dearly. Arkansas Blue Cross-Blue Shield and its employees held a special place in his heart. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra was a source of great pleasure and interest to George.

George loved to be on the water, whether it be on a houseboat on Lake Ouachita or at Greers Ferry at the lake house. The lake house holds so many wonderful special memories of family. He and Martha truly loved and enjoyed their special marriage. They loved each other dearly and spent time traveling with each other to hear jazz concerts as well as taking the family on trips. They had a bond that lasted over 53 years. George loved living, good music (especially classical), a nice Dewars scotch and water and good company. He left a big space for all of us.

George earned a bachelor's degree in 1952 from Hendrix College, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1952 and his Doctor of Medicine, with honors, from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1956. He was board certified in internal medicine in 1963.

He served in the Arkansas National Guard from 1956- 1963, eventually serving as the company commander in the 125th Medical Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade.

In 1961, George and others formed the Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic. In 1968, he became the first full time medical director of Arkansas Blue Cross.

George was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Arkansas Blue Cross in 1975 and held this position until his retirement in 1993. During his time as CEO, Arkansas Blue Cross became the largest health insurer in the state as well as a leading innovator and proponent of healthcare reform.

He served on the board of trustees at Hendrix College from 1981-1993 and was chairman from 1986-1993. He was named Distinguished Alumus in 1993. He is a life member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra board and was inducted in the Business Hall of Fame in 2016.

The family would like to thank his caregivers: Shawnda Washington and her staff, Sherrita Campbell, Tamela Washington, and Demetria Langston. Memorials can be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

A Service of Resurrection and Thanksgiving to God for Lillian Lee

November 8, 2024

Lillian Louise Aldridge Lee passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024. She was born on March 29, 1934, in Greenwood, MS, and grew up in Duck Hill before graduating from Utica High School, where she was valedictorian. In 1956 she married Robert G. (Bob) Lee in Terry, MS, and they made their home there before moving to Jackson in 1972. Lillian pursued her passion for music at Mississippi University for Women, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, specializing in voice. She received the Master of Music (1971) and Master of Music in Vocal Performance (1976) degrees from Mississippi College. Her lifelong dedication to vocal and choral music shaped her career and inspired countless students. Lillian taught music education and choral music at Terry Consolidated Schools, Jackson Preparatory School, and First Presbyterian Day School in Jackson, Mississippi. Her choirs and ensembles consistently received Superior ratings in choral festivals and competitions and performed for divisional and national choral conventions. Lillian was among the first to receive the prestigious designation of Certified Music Educator and was named Music Educator of the Year in Mississippi in 1995. Other honors include the Ernestine Ferrell Award for Excellence in Choral Music by the Mississippi ACDA in 2001 and the Distinguished Alumna for the Department of Music at Mississippi College in 2005. Music was an important part of Lillian’s faith, and she shared her musical talents with the churches where she was a member. She served as choir director for First Baptist Church in Terry for 15 years before moving to Jackson. In Jackson she was involved in the music programs as a choir member, soloist, and ensemble director at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Central Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, as well as First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, AR, where she moved in 2014. Lillian also taught voice and piano lessons and served as an adjudicator and clinician for numerous church and school music festivals and workshops throughout the state and southern region. In 1995, as she neared retirement, Lillian founded the Mississippi Girlchoir, where she served as the Artistic Director for 13 years. Through this organization, she touched the lives of hundreds of young singers, giving them the opportunity to perform across the United States (including Hawaii) as well as in England, Italy, Canada, and Australia. One of the highlights of her career was conducting a concert at the Sydney Opera House. Family was of utmost importance to Lillian. She cherished her relationships with her daughters and prioritized attending her grandchildren’s events- whether baseball games, concerts, or performances. Lillian loved traveling; she and Bob took their family on numerous trips, including cruises to Alaska and Hawaii, Disney World, and Thailand. A loyal supporter of Mississippi State, she enjoyed cheering for her Bulldogs and ringing her cowbell. She loved cooking and entertaining; hospitality was one of her spiritual gifts. Lillian was also an accomplished quilter. Lillian had a strong relationship with God and was an ardent prayer warrior. Her faith had a tremendous influence on her family. At the time of her death, she was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, where her granddaughter serves as a pastor. She was involved in the church’s Primetimers group, Newton Good News Sunday School Class, and the Food Pantry Ministry, finding joy in serving her community and fellow parishioners. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Virginia Aldridge, and her beloved husband of 50 years, Robert Gourlay Lee. She is survived by her sisters, Yancey Hand (JoGene) of Canton, MS, and Anne Branch of Mooresville, NC; her daughters, Virginia Lee McMurray (Shawn) and Dr. Dicey Gay Lee (Michael Poole), both of Little Rock, AR; her grandchildren, Margaret McMurray of Atlanta, GA; Kathleen McMurray and Michael McMurray (Kathleen Mowery); and her great-grandson, Wendell all of Little Rock; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great- nephews. In memory of Lillian’s life and legacy, memorial contributions may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church (operating budget), Ozark Mission Project, or the Music Department at Mississippi College. Her life was a testament to her love of music and family, and to her deep faith. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A Service of Resurrection and Thanksgiving to God for Dr. Thelma Jean Mothershed-Wair

October 26, 2024

A Service of Resurrection and Thanksgiving to God for Eve Shackleford Yancey

October 7, 2024

Eleanor Eve Shackleford Yancey died suddenly on September 21, 2024, at her home in Little Rock. She was born on November 30, 1952, was raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, and lived most of her life in Little Rock. Eve is survived by her husband Larry Yancey, her son Andrew Yancey (Kim), her grandchildren Leo Yancey and Mae Yancey, her sisters Carol Mitchell (Steve) and Martha Chisenhall (Larry) plus five nieces and nephews and a growing number of grandnieces and grandnephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, Jane Hall Shackleford, and father, Dennis L. Shackleford. Community involvement was important to Eve. Her list of civic leadership roles included President of the Quapaw Quarter Association, Chairman of Riverfest 1990, President of the Junior League of Little Rock, Chairman of the World Cheese Dip Championship (fundraiser for Harmony Health Clinic), and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LifeQuest of Arkansas. She also served as the campaign manager of two successful local political campaigns. At home, Eve delighted in hosting others. She was a talented cook and the time in her kitchen was her form of relaxation. Eve spent countless hours around the dinner table with family and friends enjoying her food as well as each other’s company. Known affectionately as “Miss Eve,” she was a nurturing figure to many young people, including a generation of central Arkansas’s youth baseball players who always knew she would take care of them as she traveled the country with Andrew’s baseball teams. Eve attended El Dorado High School, Stephens College, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) School of Law, and she maintained relationships from each of these throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Little Rock Compassion Center, LifeQuest of Arkansas, or the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation.