Frances F. Wilder-Mitchell

Frances Elkins Wilder Mitchell – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother – was welcomed into the heavenly realm on July 11, 2018. She was preceded in death by her first love and spouse, James Monroe Wilder, Jr.

Mrs. Mitchell was born Frances Florine Elkins on February 5, 1936 in Savannah, Georgia at Candler Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Elkins. Mrs. Mitchell graduated from Savannah High School in 1954, participating in the Glee Club and chorus.

Mrs. Mitchell met her first husband, James Wilder, at a Savannah High School dance in March 1952. They were married in 1955, the same year that Mr. Wilder joined the Air Force. He served as a navigator instructor on the KC- 97 and KC-135 refueling tankers. Mr. and Mrs. Wilder were blessed with five children – James Monroe III, Gary, Denise, Michelle, and Phillip. The two were transferred to Robins Air Force Base. Mrs. Wilder became a widow, however, when Mr. Wilder passed away suddenly in 1970 at the age of 34.

Mrs. Wilder met Captain Joseph Hansel Mitchell in 1972. Captain Mitchell, who has two sons – John and Randy, had been transferred to Robins Air Force Base from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. He also lost a spouse when his wife, Dollie, was killed in a car accident in December 1971. The two met at Central Baptist Church, dated for a year, and married on February 3, 1973.

After marrying, the Mitchells began their new life together by building a home on Cartwright Drive in Bonaire, Georgia. There, Mrs. Mitchell settled into her new life by engaging in cooking, taking care of children, assisting with her mother, and tending to plants. One of her greatest pleasures was being involved in many different activities at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins. She was the Sunday School Youth Director for a number of years, going on youth trips and choir trips with her children. Mrs. Mitchell also enjoyed singing for many years in the choir and playing in the handbell choir.

After her youngest children graduated college, she began working as a paraprofessional with intellectually disabled children in the Houston County School System in Georgia. Mrs. Mitchell faithfully served her students for 16 years, even assisting with community trips after her retirement.

Mrs. Mitchell will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, doting grandmother, dedicated and hardworking employee, and a longtime follower of Christ who exemplified the heart of Christ.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband, Joe Mitchell; children Jimmy Wilder (Cindy), Gary Wilder (René), Denise Stinson, Michelle Rowell (Bryan), and Phillip Wilder (Anita); stepchildren John Mitchell (Angie) and Randy Mitchell; grandchildren Lyndsey Wilder DeRogatis, Taylor Wilder, Corey Stinson, Morgan Wilder, Bryce Rowell, Jessica Wilder, and Mary Claire Wilder; step grandchildren John Mitchell, Jr., Zane Mitchell, and Kimberly Mitchell; great grandchildren Jax DeRogatis, Ellie DeRogatis, and Nyxon DeRogatis.

Visitation will be Friday, July 13, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of McCullough. Mrs. Wilder-Mitchell will be laid to rest in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mrs. Wilder-Mitchell’s arrangements.