It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Vernita Meecheko Mitchell, on May 23, 2023. She's survived by her sweetheart of 43 years and eternal companion, Lee Mitchell, children: Lee (Jamison) Mitchell Jr, Tara Mitchell, Melissa (Dan) Shelley, Tanner (Emily) Mitchell and 8 grandchildren. Vernita was a woman of faith, devoted sister, mother, grandmother and a fierce friend to many.

Vernita was born in Miami, Florida on January 8, 1956 to Frances Irene Johnson Goodwin and Myron Richard Goodwin. The oldest of six, with five younger brothers, Dick, Scott, Dave, Jeff, and Chris; Vernita nurtured her younger siblings while keeping them in line, and she soon learned to eat quickly during family meals. Her role as the oldest sibling made her independent, caring, and tough. She showed this when, at the young age of 16, she drove the five brothers from Chicago IL, to Jacksonville FL in a blue Oldsmobile Delta 88 to visit her Aunt Vernita.

Growing up, Vernita enjoyed numerous activities. A natural athlete, she was skilled on the uneven bars for gymnastics, dominated tennis games, was on the doubles badminton team, and was a flyer on her cheerleading squad. Like the SNL skit, she was a real life Spartan cheerleader for Romeoville High School. She also had a passion for dance. In college, she was on a traveling Folk Dance team and her children can attest that she continued to use those dance moves in the kitchen as a mom.

Vernita's love of music led her to play the oboe and sing in various choirs. Besides the many church choirs she sang in, she also performed in her high school's swing choir. In March of 2022, she achieved a major life goal when she sang "The Lamb of God" at the Salt Lake City Tabernacle.

Vernita attended the University of Utah, Rick's College, and completed her education with a degree in Zoology from BYU. A beloved college roommate, Annie, remembers that Vernita was well loved by everybody and incredibly smart. She took microbiology classes, contributed to published articles in chemistry research, and was brave enough to collect roadkill that the professors needed for her science courses.

Vernita paused college to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in areas surrounding London, England. When she first stepped off the train in Brighton, England, she met the future love of her life. Lee was a Zone Leader at the time, directing missionaries to various trains. He first saw Vernita sitting on her luggage outside of the train station. He introduced himself and helped her get to the right train. The next time they met was when they worked in the mission home, which meant they would see each other at zone conferences. He was always impressed by what a brilliant and sharp missionary she was. After they completed their missions, fate brought them back together at a BYU welcome dance. They had a blast together and enjoyed recounting the common stories of their missions. They started dating and were married the 28th of March, 1980, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Vernita's background in Zoology provided unique experiences for the family. She was constantly sneaking animals into the house, from gerbils and cats, to birds, fish, and dogs. She snuck her Russian blue cat into her college apartment. She even took care of a lemon monkey while she was growing up and later cuddled pandas when she lived in China. She had a sweet spot for animals, and they loved her for it. Her last two pets were Mei Mei and Jo Jo, two rescue cats that she turned into divas.

Lee and Vernita raised four children, Lee Jr, Tara, Melissa, and Tanner in Grand Prairie, Texas. She gave them the childhood that dreams are made of. Sweet summers were filled with trips to Wet n' Wild, the bowling alley, and tons of bike rides as they played various games in the cul-de-sac. The kids fondly remember following her through department stores hiding in clothing racks, and promises of donuts if they behaved while shopping in Albertsons. Lee Jr and Tanner both had a great time with Vernita in scouts when she would hike with them and quiz them on all the surrounding trees. Education was important to Vernita and she encouraged good grades with offers of Chuck E. Cheese for positive report cards. Vernita never shied away from a busy schedule, encouraged her kids to try new things, and supported every piano or drum recital, volleyball game, wrestling tournament, soccer, cheerleading, dance lesson, softball and so much more. She even taught early-morning seminary for several years, which many of her children attended. There wasn't a holiday that she didn't embrace and completely rock. She held the best parties! There was nothing she loved more than gathering her family and friends together to make beautiful traditions.

Lee and Vernita were the best pair and gave each other wings. They absolutely cherished working together in the LDS Dallas Temple. They traveled the world together, and were the cutest grandparents. Avery, Ember, Darcy, Tripp, Ethan, Kate, Connor, and Parker James loved their grandma and were blessed by every minute with her.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 2 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 902 North Chinn Chapel Road, Highland Village, TX 75077. There will also be a viewing at the church prior to the funeral service from 10:00 to 10:50 am. Flowers may be sent to the Mulkey-Bowles Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton, Texas.