Sarah Nell (Jackson) Mitchell

Sarah Nell Mitchell (Jackson), 86 aka “the lady with the red afro,” strong, sharp, beautiful, talented, classy, funny, caring, matriarch woman, was peacefully called home on the evening of April 6, 2024.

Sarah, the oldest of five children, was born on June 20, 1937, in Albany, GA,  to the late Tommie-Lee Fisher (Jackson) and the late Cottrell Hall.

She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Providence, RI, pastored by Rev. Earl Harley for over 45 yrs.  There she learned more about the Lord, got baptized and sung in the church choir.

Sarah graduated in 1956 from Monroe High School in Albany GA.  Shortly after high school, she left Albany to pursue a better economic environment for herself by moving to Springfield, MA.  In Massachusetts, one of her first jobs was working in a local factory.

In 1957, she married Zane G. Perkins. To this union five daughters were born. Sarah progressed in the workforce and moved to Providence, RI.

In 1968 Sarah married Cleo Mitchell. To this union one daughter was born. Sarah landed a job at St. Joseph Hospital in 1980.  While working in the Laundry Department at the hospital, she attended nursing school and joined a female gospel group called, “The Spirits of Joy” singing the contralto voice.  Sarah became famous in this group for singing the song, ‘You Don’t Know How Blessed You Are.”

Later after graduating from nursing school, Sarah was promoted to one of the head environmental services managers at the hospital. In 1985 Sarah left the Spirits of Joy and joined another female gospel grouped called “The Gospel Believers” still singing the contralto voice. Sarah stayed with that gospel group until moving back to Albany, GA, in 1990.  After she moved back to Albany, she was able to use her nursing skills working at Briar Wood Homes taking care of the mentally ill.  Sarah loved to sing God’s praises and found another gospel group to join. This time she was the only female singer in the group.  The name of this group was called “William Jones and Rhema.” Sarah was able to record an album with this group and sing all over the southern states.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo Mitchell; mother ,Tommie-Lee Fisher (Jackson); father, Cottrell Hall; three daughters, Pamela A. Perkins, Janice G. Perkins, and Gwendolyn R. Perkins; and her brother, Larry J. Graham, Sr.

Sarah leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Beverly A. Perkins (Albany, GA), Debbie M. Perkins (Tifton, GA), and Petrina J. (Mitchell) Abernathy (Suffolk, VA); two sons, Steven D. (Donna) Mitchell (Providence, RI), and Vincent L. Mitchell, (Brooklyn, NY); one brother, Carl R. (Pam) Graham, (Locust Grove, GA); two sisters, June A. Lindsey (Graham) Melvin (Pensacola, FL), and Juanita Graham (Pensacola FL); and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

We will all miss Sarah, her laughter, her beautiful voice, her wisdom, and the joy and knowledge she brought to the family and to everyone that was around her.

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