Blontas ‘Winkie’ Mitchell
- Published: September 6, 2022
Blontas M. “Winkie” Mitchell
Blontas M. “Winkie” Mitchell, 71, was surrounded by her loved ones when she was called home by the Lord on the third of September, 2022.
She leaves behind her loving son, Jason W. Mitchell; sisters Ledia M. “Cookie” Long Castelberry (Claude), Marsia A. “Dinkie” Starling-Pearson, Winiferd A.S. “Winnie” Hardy (Ivan); sister-cousin Dawn M. Gaines (Michael); stepsister, Patricia M. Eason; stepbrothers, Edward P. McCormick Jr. and Gregory McCormick (Demetria); stepmother, Agnes M. Starling; ex-husband, William Mitchell; grandchildren JacQuan Mitchell, Jaylen Mitchell, JaNai Mitchell, Dominique “DJ” Mitchell and Paris Mitchell; great-grandchildren JacQuan Mitchell Jr., Aurora Mitchell and Alana Givens; nieces and nephews Christopher C. Young, Chelle Young-Anderson, Gene Long (Karrie), India Long (Fabian), Melvin Pearson, Ethan Pearson, Olivia Hardy, Samyele D. Easton, Christopher L. Davis, Brandie L. McCormick, Gregory L. McCormick Jr., Chris Mitchell, Todd Mitchell, Ayanna Givens, Iesha Givens, Terae Strickland, Na’veya Strickland; many loving cousins; the Queens, Lou Ann Horstman, Linda Lauffenburger, Kim Sadlier, Janet Baer, Patty Larger, Zella Nisley, Ellen Stickney and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Winferd and Elease (Headen) Starling, her sister Belinda R. “Skipper” Young, her niece Maria A. Long and a host of family members who have gone before her.
Winkie graduated from Springfield Catholic Central High School, received her RN degree at Clark State University and was a student in Antioch University’s Human Resources Master’s program. She was known and deeply respected in the Springfield/Yellow Springs area for her lifelong vigorous commitment to and engagement with children’s development, anti-violence, restorative justice, civil rights and peace efforts.
Winkie’s contribution to the community and surrounding area for equality and inclusion for all was priceless and honorable. Her dedication to the development of the youth in the community was her heartbeat. She was remarkable with her way of making everyone she encountered feel that they mattered and were important and truly loved by her. Winkie’s crusade for mental health was her life’s project and she worked on it tirelessly and endlessly to her last day.
To all the committees, organizations and programs, which are so many, the people of the community and the surrounding area, her family would like to say “thank you” to each of you for your love and support, and the kindness you showed Winkie during her time on earth. Her family is honored that each of you were able to be a part of the wonder of Winkie. We have lost an angel, but as an angel she left a part of her with each of us. Let us all continue to shine the light that she gave us on one another and on all those we meet.
Her service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 225 E. High St., Springfield, Ohio. The family will receive friends from 4–6 p.m. prior to the service.
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