On May 28, 2025, Lela Mae Bell Mitchell was peacefully called home to be with her Lord and Savior.

Lela Mae Bell Mitchell was born on March 7, 1930 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. After graduating from high school in St. Helena Parish, she attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she played the piano and basketball, while obtaining her bachelor's degree in education. She met and later married her late husband of 63 years, Ollie (Johnny) Mitchell, Sr. To this union, one son was born. She later obtained her Master's and 30+ from Northwestern State University. She began teaching in St. Helena Parish; after moving to Shreveport, Louisiana, she taught at George Washington Carver and later at Captain Shreve High School until she retired.

Lela received Jesus Christ at an early age in Greensburg, Louisiana; after moving to Shreveport, Louisiana, she united with Williams Memorial C.M.E. Temple and remained a faithful member until her death. At Williams Memorial, she served as a president and treasurer of the Women's Missionary Society and shared her voice with the Temple Voices Choir until her health failed.

Her precious memory is forever with us; though her body is not here, her soul, spirit, and legacy will always be near. She was the lovely daughter of the late Olivia and John Bell, who preceded her in death. Lela was also preceded in death by her husband, Ollie Mitchell Sr.; sisters, Odell Matthews, Susie B. Yancy, and Rev. Mrs. Estelle Burnett; brothers, Robert James Bell and Joseph Charles Bell.

Mourning her passing, but celebrating her long, productive and spirit-filled life is her loving son, Ollie Mitchell III (Carla); granddaughters, Ebony L. Mitchell, Melanie Allen, and Shelby Mitchell; grandsons, Joshua Mitchell and Ollie Mitchell, IV; great-grandsons, Felix L. Blanco, A'siah Ray and Avery Jayce Johnson; great-granddaughters, Morgan and Madison Mitchell; step-granddaughter, Telia Simpson; step-grandsons, D'Angelo Williams (Keyah), Brannon Henson, and Tyren O'Neal; brother-in-law, Booker T. Mitchell; goddaughter, Jo-Ann Williams and godson, Dr. Bobbie Phillis; and all of her former students, church family, and friends.