Obituary for Georgann “Cookie” Eileen Mitchell

Georgann “Cookie” Eileen Mitchell passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of deep faith whose kindness and generosity touched many lives.

Cookie was born on May 13, 1942, in Columbia, Missouri, to William Byron Doss and Katherine Doss during World War II while her father was serving overseas in Europe. She grew up with her older brother, William Doss, who preceded her in death.

After the war, her family made the journey west to California in a Model T Ford and settled in Ventura. It was there that she met her lifelong friend Ruthie Rutledge, beginning a friendship that lasted nearly seventy years.

As a teenager, Cookie moved with her family to Hollywood, California and attended Marshall High School. While there she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Mitchell. Their first meeting became a favorite family story when Cookie literally landed at Bill’s feet during a dance. Bill later proposed while the two were sitting in his Ford pickup truck in the parking lot in front of Griffith Park Observatory.

Cookie and Bill were married on December 5, 1959, in Pasadena, California, beginning a marriage that lasted more than sixty years.

In 1961 they purchased a home in Reseda, California where they raised their family and lived for the next six decades. Cookie devoted herself to raising their two sons, Scott and Todd, and was actively involved in their schools and activities, serving as a room mother, working in the PTA, and eventually becoming PTA president.

One of the greatest joys of Cookie’s life was becoming a grandmother to five beloved granddaughters. She spent many years helping care for them and loved watching them grow into young women as they graduated from school and began their own lives.

Later in life Cookie and Bill became deeply involved in Shepherd Church. They faithfully served their church community for many years. Cookie volunteered in the nursery, served at the church front desk, and was among the original members who helped establish the Vintage Ministry alongside Renee Rutherford.

Cookie also created her own card ministry, faithfully writing notes of encouragement, sympathy, and celebration to church members. Many recipients shared that her cards were often the only ones they received and meant more than words could express.

Cookie loved travel and adventure and especially enjoyed trips with her church to Israel and Greece. Even at age 81 she embraced adventure, riding a camel in Jerusalem during her fifth visit to Israel.

After the passing of her beloved husband Bill in 2020, Cookie moved to an apartment community near the church where she built a new circle of close friendships and remained active in the community she loved.

Cookie was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Mitchell, her parents William Byron Doss and Katherine Doss, and her brother William Doss.

She leaves behind her sons Scott Mitchell and Todd Mitchell, her five cherished granddaughters, her dear friend Ruthie Rutledge, and many loving friends and church family whose lives she touched.

Cookie’s life was defined by faith, service, and love for others. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she blessed through her kindness, her encouragement, and the example of her faith.