Elsie James Mizelle

Elsie Virginia James Mizelle of Raleigh passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at the age of 89, at Springmoor Retirement Community, Stewart Health Center.  She was born in Bethel, NC to the late Rillie and Russell James. She moved to Raleigh and attended Kings Business College prior to working for the Employment Security Commission in the 1950’s, and before taking on her favorite role as mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and homemaker. She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Merrimond Brown Mizelle(Mo). She is survived by children: daughter Pam Harris (Ed Harris), son Rusty Mizelle, and son Mike Mizelle (Joan Mizelle); her granddaughters Jenny Harris, Allison Walenga (Gary), and Brittany Shoemaker (Josh); great grandchildren Landon and Luke Walenga.  Also surviving are her sisters Edna Ruth Mathews (Eddie), and Betsy Stout. Elsie’s purpose in life was helping others. Whether cooking a dish for a neighbor, giving a ride to someone who needed it, delivering food for Meals-On-Wheels, listening to a friend, or most of all being a wonderful loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she was always looking for a way to help someone else. One of her favorite sayings was: “to have a friend you have to be a friend”. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation, and thanks, to the wonderful staff of Springmoor Retirement Community and Stewart Health Center who showed her much compassion and support. Elsie loved flowers, and rejoiced in the beauty of all seasons.  She also valued donations to the following: Highland United Methodist Church (Community Victory Garden), Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, and the Springmoor Endowment Fund. A service in celebration of her life will be held 2:00pm, Thursday, September 8, 2016, at Highland United Methodist Church, on Ridge Road in Raleigh. Visitation and Reception will follow the service.