Cora Ella Kirby Mitchell, age 83, of Cadiz, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Cadiz.
She was born July 30, 1940, in Trigg County, to the late Whitson and Ilean (Adams) Kirby. She was also preceded in death by her step mother, Mary Alice Kirby.
A lifelong resident of Trigg County, Cora attended grade school at Mershon’s Bridge and then Trigg County High School. She married Norris Gentry Mitchell on November 20, 1956, and worked for several years as manager of the former Ben Franklin store in downtown Cadiz before eventually moving on to the Trigg County ASCS Office where she served as secretary. She also took on the role of managing the concession stand at the Trigg County Recreation Complex where she ran a tight ship for over 30 years.
Cora was a longtime faithful member of Liberty Point Baptist Church where her love for God and her church family was exemplified by her service. Of her many roles, she served as a Sunday school teacher, tended to little ones in the nursery, worked with VBS, and assisted with the children’s and youth Bible drills, as well as the senior citizen’s Thanksgiving program. As hardworking as she was, Cora always had time for her family. She was a loving daughter, sister, and devoted wife and mother of three, and when the grandchildren came along, she was overjoyed to be “Bumbaw”. She loved to spend time with them, attending their many activities, taking them fishing, showing them how to garden, and teaching them to sew and cook like only a grandmother can. She was immensely proud of her family, always offering her unconditional love and support.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Norris G. Mitchell, in 2014; a sister, Kay Creamer; brother-in-law, Robert Earl Fowler; granddaughter, Jennifer Johnson, and grandson, Brian Johnson.
She is survived by her children, Belinda “Lanie” Johnson (Corky) of Cadiz, Pam McCallan of Bowling Green, KY, and Keith Mitchell (Stacey) of Gallatin, TN; grandchildren, Patrick Johnson (Carey), Christy Wood, Elizabeth Mitchell Wentworth (Cole), Eric Mitchell, Isaac Mitchell, and granddaughter-in-law, Jeri Lynn Johnson; great grandchildren, Maddie Johnson, Eva Johnson, Emerson Johnson, and Baylor Johnson. Cora is also survived by her beloved sisters, Thelma Fowler, Joyce Anderson (Joe), and Carolyn Freeman (Randy), all of Cadiz, brother-in-law, Tommy Creamer of Indianapolis, IN, and a dear friend, Diane Light of Cadiz.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc., 138 Main Street in Cadiz, where the family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Boyd Cemetery in Little River Estates, Rabbit Ridge Road, Cadiz, with Rev. Paxton Redd officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Boyd Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 226, Cadiz, KY 42211.