Barbara Mitchell

OBITUARY Barbara Avis-Mitchell Barbara Marcia Avis was born on February 19, 1957 to Ruby Bailey and Robert Avis in Blackstone Edge, in the beautiful parish of St. Ann. Before migrating to the United States when she was fourteen, Barbara lived in Passage Forth in Kingston with her mother, stepfather Rennie Dixon and her sisters. She attended Vauxhall Primary School and continued her education at George W. Wingate High School in Brooklyn, NY and graduated in 1975. While in high school, Barbara tried her hand at modeling at the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in 1974. She obtained her Associates Degree in Accounting from Manhattan Community College in 1979. The highlight of this period of Barbara’s life proved to be the birth of son Everol Bell, Jr., on January 19, 1978 whose father is Everol Bell, Snr., also known as “Warren”. Barbara and Samuel “Mitch” Mitchell met in 1985 which was the beginning of a journey that encompassed their wedding on June 6th, 1987 and the birth of son Richard December 19, 1990. Barbara and Mitch co-owned and operated Tropical Records in Brooklyn from 1995 – 1997 where they encountered and interacted with many famous entertainers. NW Air and McCann & Erickson advertising agencies in New York City benefitted from Barbara’s excellent organization skills. The family decided to leave the snow and hustle & bustle of Brooklyn, NY behind and relocated to Lauderhill, FL in Easter of 1999. She was then employed at Seaboard Shipping for fifteen years and Governor Control Systems for six years until her retirement in 2021. Serving the Lord was important to Barbara and as such, she served in many capacities during the twenty-seven years that she was a member of Episcopal Church of The Atonement. She found pleasure in serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), the President of Daughters of the King for nine years, most recently as the Church Administrator and DOK Broward Deanery Coordinator. The Lord called Barbara home on Wednesday, January 21. She is predeceased by her parents Robert Avis, Ruby Dixon, stepfather Rennie Dixon, and her brother Hugh. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband of thirty-eight years, Samuel “Mitch”, sons Everol and Richard, grandson Kamden and stepchildren. Aunts Dorrel “Peggy” Barrett, Stephanie “Shirley” Richardson, Verma “Blossom” Johnson (Charles) and Thelma “Tott” Taylor and Uncle Neville “Grey”. Brothers Robert “Bunny” Avis and Colin Avis (Avril). Sisters Joy Dixon-Moore (Perry), Sylvia Brown (Patrick) Annette Ferguson, Marcia Dixon, Vivienne Avis-Crawford (Astley), Erica Avis-McEwan (Howard), Thalia Avis-Walker (Livingston). A host of cousins, nieces and nephews, godchildren, friends and her church family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Women's Ministry at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement (4401 West Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313) that will fund a scholarship in Barbara Mitchell's name. Thank you for your generosity which will honor Barbara's memory.

Barbara Mitchell

February 19, 1957 - January 21, 2026