Essie L. Perkins Mitchell was born the eleventh of twelve children to the late Otha Randle and Mary Wade Randle on July 28, 1937, in Lexington, Mississippi. At an early age, Essie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She was baptized and served as a faithful member of Sweet Canaan COGIC before she migrated to Chicago. Essie received her education in Holmes County, Mississippi. Essie gave birth to one son, the late Robert Perkins. He was her everything. She was more than an aunt to her nieces and nephews; she embodied the role of mother, and they all loved her dearly. Essie learned many things in her life, but her most important was her solid foundation and love for the Lord. After residing in Chicago, she joined the First Baptist Institutional Church of Chicago, located at 4220 W 18th Street, under the leadership of Reverend Floyd Piper. Essie served on the Women’s Ministry and proudly baked plenty of cakes for events throughout her more than 50 years of membership. Essie always invited others to church and gladly told anyone their place was to give their life to Christ and be saved. To no surprise she remained dedicated and faithful to her church and current leader Reverend Aaron Bradsfield until her passing. Essie’s favorite times were spent serving the Lord, and she never failed to enter into his kingdom with praises. She enjoyed traveling to Mississippi with family, fish frying, and baking, credited with making the best pound cake on this side of heaven. She never missed a chance to talk on the phone with family and friends. She also enjoyed looking through all the weekly sales papers. Essie was proud to work as a homemaker; for years she traveled to Skokie, Illinois to care for prestigious clients like doctors. She provided excellent care to their families. Essie loved hats and wore some of the finest and loveliest hats you could ever imagine. Essie was united in holy matrimony to the late Lee Mitchell, whom she adored. On November 11, 2021, in Newnan, Georgia, Essie followed God’s request to join eternal life. Essie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, only son, a greatgrandson, ten siblings, and many other family members. She leaves to adore her precious memories: four grandchildren, Robert “Dontaye” Perkins, Jr., Okima Andrews, Dorshan Grier, and Katie Grier; twenty-five great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly; three sisters, Lillie (Melvin) Garnett, Hattie Owens of Chicago, Illinois, and Mary (Supt. John H) Scott of Yahoo City, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, neighbors, and friends.
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