Dr. Sandra T. Mitchell

Respectfully, we honor the legacy of life of Dr. Sandra T. Mitchell, of Richmond, Virginia. Sandra Marie Tilly Mitchell, daughter of Samuel and Thelma Belton Tilly, was born in New York City October 24, 1943. Reared in Greenburgh, NY, she was a 1961 graduate of White Plains High School. The Fall of 1961, she entered the University of Illinois, Urbana, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966, and her master’s degree in Social Work in 1971. In 1996, she received an Ed. D from NOVA Southeastern University.
Sandra and Melvin L. Mitchell met in Champaign, IL, and married in 1965; son, Marcus S.E. Mitchell, was born in 1970. Her initiation into Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. engendered an enduring tie to her Sorority sisters and sparked her lifelong commitment to community service.

 Dr. Mitchell leaves a legacy of that service and love.  In 1973, she moved to Richmond to teach Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. She later joined the Richmond Public School System (RPSS) where her career included directing the Interagency Dialogue and Prescriptive Center and the Educare Program - frequently    serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond.  Her service to Richmond also includes Board Member of the United Way and the Richmond Senior Center; work on the Richmond City Council campaign of good friend and former Council Member, Willie J. Dell, for whom she also served as a campaign chair; and work on the campaign of Cynthia I. Newbille, current Council President. Sandra devoted many years to the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW): as an active member of the local chapter and as national chair of International Conferences - conducting seminars in Africa, Cuba, Europe, and South America.  She retired after 27 years with RPSS, and commuted to Washington, DC, to manage NABSW’s national office; she was instrumental in acquiring the building for and moving the Association to its Washington headquarters.

In all her endeavors, Sandra received the support and love of the members of her Richmond "posse."  She treasured her fifty year relationship with her college Sorority sisters, but also affiliated with Delta’s Richmond Alumnae Chapter for which she rallied resources to restore an historic landmark for her favorite clients - children.  Her love of black dolls and African art is displayed in her home; she was also a mean bid whist and volleyball player. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and the others who helped rear her.  Left to mourn are son, Marcus S.E. Mitchell; grandson, Jaden Mitchell; Melvin L. Mitchell; relatives and friends in New York and South Carolina; and many others whose lives her generosity quietly touched.  She will be missed, but we are glad - not that Sandra has gone on - but that we crossed her path on this earth.  We are comforted knowing our lives have been enriched by hers and that we showed her love while she was yet with us. 

Service arrangements have been updated. Please leave a candle of memorandum; or feel free to sign the online guestbook, as expressions of sympathy to this bereaved family. 

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