Barbara Dee Mitchell

Barbara Dee Mitchell was born to Harold and Desda Lewis on August 28, 1941, in Elliott, Iowa. She was the third child of the Lewis family and attended grade school in Red Oak, Iowa and Cleveland, Missouri.

Barbara met her future husband, Raymond Mitchell while in Elementary School. Barbara and Ray married after High School on April 22, 1960. The young couple moved to Kansas City and later to Littleton, Colorado. They moved back to the Kansas City area settling in Grandview where they both worked at Cotter & Company a distribution center for True Value Hardware. They finished their careers at Cotter and retired to move to Oklahoma City to join her sister, Debbie and her husband Dwight Ellis and their daughter McKenzie Ellis, who was like a granddaughter to Barbara.

Barbara and her husband Ray were very active in McKenzie’s childhood and attended many happy occasions including birthdays, cooking at holidays, and vacations all over the country. Barbara enjoyed cooking and baking for others. 

Barbara and Ray were active in their local church, and they enjoyed bowling and collecting all kinds of interesting things including paperweights, thimbles, steins, and antique button hooks. She collected Barbie dolls and barbershop memorabilia because we sometimes affectionately called her - “Barbie” and “Barber”. 

After a 2nd battle with cancer Barbara went to the Lord on December 11^th, 2023, at the age of 82. Barbara leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Raymond Mitchell, her sisters Ruth Larkin, Seattle and Debbie Ellis, Oklahoma City and brother David Larkin of Parker, Colorado and many nieces and nephews. 

Barbara will join her heavenly family including her father Harold who died in Italy during WWII, her mother Desda who passed in 1991, stepfather Walter Larkin and her baby Dennis Eugene who died shortly after childbirth. Barbara was also preceded in death by her sisters Phyllis Caldwell, Marilyn Clawson, and her brother Richard Lewis. 

 In lieu of a service we plan a small celebration at her life graveside in April 2024. Please leave your memories and photos of Barbara.