Beverly Ann West Mitchem

Child of God Daughter of Willie Simeon and Cleo Fluoride Waters West Wife to Dr. John Robert Mitchem Mother of John Robert Mitchem Junior (“Bobby”) Deborah Ann Mitchem Bacon (Greg) Jerry Chris Mitchem Sherri Lynn Mitchem Craig-Evans (Chad) Nana of Lauren Melissa Bacon Cooper Raydel Craig Hunter Mitchem Evans Robert Scott Bacon Ethan West Evans Sadie Elise Evans Great Grandmother of Charlotte Mayelise Craig and Franklin Oliver Scott Bacon She is survived by Her sister, Linda West Moore (Ronnie), sister-in-law Bettye West Grant, sister-in-law Diane West, sister-in-law Mary Mitchem Crisp, borther-in-law Jerry Mitchem (Iris) and many extended family members & friends Beverly Ann West was the first child born to Willie and Cleo West in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Monday, October 26, 1936. Beverly was the 1st of 4 children born to Willie and Cleo who had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Beverly met Robert Mitchem at Spartanburg Methodist College and they were married on Saturday, June 29, 1956. They moved to Memphis, Tennessee in August of the same year for Robert to attend the Southern College of Optometry. During this time, Beverly worked for Southern Bell. March 29, 1958 Beverly and Robert became parents for the first time when John Robert Mitchem, Jr. “Bobby” was born. When Robert graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in 1960, he and Beverly moved their family to Orlando, Florida and where Robert set up practice. Deborah Ann Mitchem was born on March 25, 1961. While living in Orlando, the Mitchem family attended North Park Baptist Church where they met other young married couples with whom they’ve shared lifelong friendships. Their leaders were the Ackers, and the couples were the Brocks, Ellis’, Geigers, Straightons, Eastmans, Howards, Cottons, Holts, Tuckers, Harwells, and Witts. Beveraly taught the young married women for 6 years and Beverly and Robert taught the Training Union for the 1st and 2nd graders. In support of her husband, Beverly served as part of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Florida Optometric Association. She served as the board president from 1973-74 and in various positions over the years. She was also an active member of the GFWC Women’s Club in Palatka which is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. After a long illness with leukemia, Robert and Beverly's son Bobby passed awa. In February of 1969, Robert and Beveraly adopted newborn Sherri Lynn and two years later the family moved to Palaka, Florida. Several years after that, Jerry Mitchem was welcomed into the Mitchem family. After their move to Palatka in 1971, the Mitchem family joined the First Baptist Church of Palatka where Beverly led several bible study groups, taught VBS, and co-taught the newlywed Sunday School class. For many years she enjoyed singing in the church choir. Robert and Beverly enjoyed traveling around the world and visited many amazing places. Many years of their lives they traveled pulling a high low camper across the country taking in amazing sites with friends. Beverly thoroughly enjoyed being a Nana to her grandchildren and could often be found at their school events, by their sickbeds, at their birthday celebrations, or any other events in their lives. The Mitchem family enjoyed the later years of their lives at their family cabin in the Mountains of Tryon, North Carolina. The cabin was located close to where both Robert and Beverly were born and raised. Summer months would find any combination of family and friends on the back porch of their cabin watching the sunset, reminiscing about favorite family memories, old and new, eating Robert’s freshly churned peach ice cream. When her children remember Beverly they think of the verse in Proverbs: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. The Mitchem family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers to tirelessly provided care to Robert and Beverly in the last years of their lives. Pallbearers Jerry C. Mitchem, Greg Bacon, Chad Evans, Cooper Craig, Hunter Evans, Scott Bacon, Ethan Evans Viewing and Funeral First Baptist Church of Palatka Florida SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025 501 Oak St, Palatka, FL 32177 Family Viewing 1-2 pm Public Viewing 2-3 pm Service 3-4 pm Reception downstairs immediately following COMMITAL SERVICE & INTERNMENT MONDAY, JUNE 30TH, , 2025 400 WOODLAWN CEMETERY ROAD GOTHA, FL 34734 11:00 am In lieu of flowers, donations in Beverly's memory may be made to: Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or First Baptist Church of Palatka, 501 Oak St., Palatka, FL 32177. Memories and condolences may be expressed in Tributes at www. stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Beverly Ann West Mitchem

October 26, 1936 - June 13, 2025