Bill and Jean Mitchell
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Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell
Jean, born July 30, 1931 in Kingman, Kansas, the daughter of James Jehu Cox and Gladys E. (Long) Cox, died March 17, 2023 in Lawrence. She graduated from Kingman High School (1949) and came to K.U. where she was a member of Delta Gamma and graduated from the School of Fine Arts in 1953, being named Outstanding Graduating Senior in Design. Jean was a color artist for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City until her marriage to William Lawrence Mitchell, May 8, 1954, in Kingman. They began their life together at Point Cabrillo Light Station, Mendocino, CA where Bill was stationed in the Coast Guard; after his discharge they returned to Lawrence where Jean ever since was a highly regarded quilter and homemaker. Bill followed her in death 9 days later on March 26 so Jean is survived by their son Cotter and his wife Fadra of Vinland, grandsons Wake and Eli and granddaughters Sylvan and Chesney. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Joyce Thornberry and Helen M. Hart and a brother, Marvin M. Cox. No graveside service will be held and her ashes will be in Pioneer Cemetery. A recognition of Jean and Bill’s lives will be held on their 69th anniversary, May 8th from 2-5pm at the Spencer Museum of Art in the Ingrid &J.K. Lee Study Center. Memorials may be made to the Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell Textiles Fund for the Spencer Museum of art (to which she has given most of her quilts) at the KU Endowment Association, in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
William Lawrence “Bill” Mitchell
Bill was born 2 June 1932 in Kansas City, MO, the only child of William M. and Donna L. (Adams) Mitchell; he died March 26, 2023 in Lawrence. His wife of 69 years, Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell, preceded Bill in death by nine days on March 17. He is survived by their only son Cotter and his wife Fadra of Vinland, grandsons Wake and Elias, and granddaughters Sylvan and Chesney. Bill attended Corinth Grade School and Shawnee Mission High School (Johnson County) before coming to KU in 1950, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon. While in the Coast Guard, he and Jean were married May 8, 1954 in Kingman, Kansas and began life together in at Point Cabrillo Light Station, Mendocino, CA. After discharge they returned to Lawrence so he could finish what he’d begun at KU; that done, they moved to Urbana, IL where he took a degree in Library Science at the University, then returned to Lawrence and the KU Library. He retired in 1999 after 39+ years, mostly spent in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library. Both Bill and Jean being self-described homebodies simply kept on as before in his retirement, best friends since the lighthouse. A record of his life and interests remains in one of Jean’s quilts: “Bill Willie’s Whirlygig Factotum.” No graveside service will be held. His ashes will be in Pioneer Cemetery with Jean’s. A recognition of Bill and Jean’s lives will be held on their 69th anniversary, May 8th from 2-5pm at the Spencer Museum of Art in the Ingrid &J.K. Lee Study Center. Memorials may be made to the Douglas County Historical Society or the Jean and Bill Mitchell Conservation Laboratory Fund at the KU Endowment Association, in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
My sincerest condolences. 🖤🌹
I am shocked to see notice of Bill and Jean’s death. They were always together as they walked from their house in West Hills to downtown Lawrence. Their return trip took them to Louisiana St behind the Alumni Center. I had many conversations with Bill and when Jean was ready to go she took Bill’s hand ( he would have continued to talk with me as I lived on that street) and continued up the hill to the campus. Jean would say only a few words and Bill knew it was time to go. It was in later years that I knew Bill was in a fraternity and Jean in a sorority. They were so atypical
of what one would imagine of being in a Greek system . They kept up the Greek houses grade average I would joke to Bill. A quiet couple and very interested in what was going on in Lawrence. Bill would often write letters to the editor and his comments were “right on” but often dismissed.
The stone house they lived in had a meticulous lawn. I never saw them working in it and joked with Bill that they did the lawn at night. Perfectly trimmed shrubs. If anyone ever saw the quilts of Jean’s at a show at Spencer, her work was perfection just as their yard. Bill was an excellent carpenter, doing that work to perfection also
A wonderful couple and an asset to West Hills neighborhood. They will truly be missed in that neighborhood and to the many people acquainted with them.
So sorry for your loss.
My Sincerest Condolences .
Jean’s Christmas cookies were a childhood touchstone for me-followed by Bill’s mischievous grin when we met-I am sorry for your loss.
Cotter, so sorry to hear about your parents. They were both really great people.
Dear Cotter, Fadra, and family, I send love and heartfelt wishes for peace. Jean and Bill will be missed by many but each leaves an indelible legacy. Always together in life, now together where there is no more pain, sorrow, or loss. Jean’s letters often mentioned things your family did for them; my favorite is Cotter’s stealthy scraping the snow and ice. This Easter, I recall Fadra’s egg hunt, oddly appropriate and so joyful.
I am totally shocked to hear about their deaths . They were so much in love and was always together. God got two wonderful angels . R.I. P. Bill and Jean. You both will be missed.
Just learned of Mr. Norman’s passing and want to express my condolences to Connie Beach, Rick Beach, Yolanda Thomas and other family members. While I never knew Mr. Norman real well, I felt he was thoughtful and caring. May the memories from his many years of llfe bring you comfort.
I am so sorry to hear this. Bill and Jean were always so gracious. I enjoyed chatting with them on one of their many walks to town, visits to the Spencer Museum, or the Spencer Library before Bill retired, in The Merc, or in their home. I am grateful to have known them, and to know Cotter as well. R.I.P. to these two best friends and soul mates.
Dear Cotter, Fadra, and family,
Aunt Jean and Uncle Bill will truly be missed. My fondest memory of them was in the summer of 1975, when I spent two weeks gardening, making fruit pies, and working on a braided floor rug as a 13 year old. I enjoyed all of the handwritten letters we would exchange over the years detailing their daily lives. Cotter, spending time with your family was their joy.
Such kind and gracious people – very sorry for your loss-
Cotter, Fadra, and family –
Your folks, my aunt and uncle, were both unique and unrepeatable. Great positive examples. I hope all family bereavement grief is soon past and matter of acceptance.
Today we are drowning in information;
While starving for wisdom –
Bill and Jean exemplified living clarity of wisdom.
{To me, Cotter is a wonder and follows their course. I also cannot neglect to mention, the artistry and intellect of Jean & Bill are in family genes.
Wonderful father he is, he also had the courage to follow his feelings to do what he likes to do. He is very creatively talented. He can seem very reserved. I view that due to his intellectual side ‘processing’ the information at hand, then responding after flashing his sunrise smile – – – “If someone throws you the ball, you don’t have to catch it!”.
I feel that some might equal his inherited creative talents and intellect but I none really excel.
I am sure there will be chromosomes passed enabling developing talents even more incredible and appreciated than the following!!! :
Jean = gingersnap cookies!!!
Bill = ‘make anything’ with wood. (Reference to his building a new fence, picture concerning in Lawrence Daily years ago , hand cutting and planing the planks, then levelling with hand plane with his eye alone the top, etc.) }.
– Mmcjr