On Tuesday, December 5, 2023 there was a resounding shout of Hallelujah! and Welcome! as Darla Jean Mitchell of Whitesboro, Texas was ushered into heaven on the arm of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Darla was born on July 26, 1962 in Gainesville, Texas to Murriel and Carolyn (Clark) Gilbreath. She was a graduate of Whitesboro High School and McClennan Community College in Waco. She married Jackie Mitchell on May 25, 1985. Darla was a member of the First Baptist Church of Whitesboro and a member of PEO Chapter A in Whitesboro. She has spent her life in service to her Lord, mentoring children with the Children’s Choir at FBC and mentoring others within our community as they began their walk with Jesus. Darla was a fabulous cook and had a beautiful singing voice, both which have blessed many throughout her life, her greatest joy in life was her family and especially the cherished time she had with her granddaughter, Fischer.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jackie Mitchell; daughter, Colony Handshy and husband, Austin; granddaughter, Fischer Handshy; father, Murriel Gilbreath, sister, Sharon Light, sister, Tina Hobbs and husband, Paul, nephews, Austin Light, Lane Hobbs and fiancée, Bayleigh Howard, and Carter Light, Beau Mitchell, and wife Stephanie, Greg Gilbreath and wife, Maureen, nieces, Connor Light, Loni Hobbs, Tonya Townley and husband, Jeremy, Tracy Meador and husband, Mack, Taylor Mitchell, Carol Debord and husband, Robert, Brandi Debord and husband, Michael, aunt and uncle, Judy and Frank Doss, brother-in-law, Doug Mitchell and wife, Julie.
Darla is preceded in death by her daughter, Jordan Mitchell, mother, Carolyn Gilbreath, sister-in-law, Sissie Gilbreath, brother-in-law, Joey Gilbreath and both her paternal and maternal grandparents.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to the music ministry of First Baptist Church of Whitesboro.
A memorial service honoring Darla will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Whitesboro, officiated by Rev. Mike Flanagan and Dr. Johnny Funderburg. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday at First Baptist beginning at 12:30 PM.
You will be missed by many
Thoughts and prayers are with you all
May you continue singing with your gorgeous voice
💖 Such a beautiful lady that served her Jesus and introduced so many children and adults to Him!! She gave her amazing voice for worship at First Baptist Church/Whitesboro!! Everyone has their favorite Darla & Jackie song!! She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her! Prayers for comfort and strength for her family.
So sorry for ur families loss
My prayers go out to you
Jackie and family, just couldn’t believe this when Sonjia and I heard. Our prayers are with you.
I’m not sure what exactly to say…I just know that Darla has been part of my world seemingly my whole life, as has Jackie. I know what a beautiful woman, inside and out she is. I pray God’s peace over all those that loved her and will now feel a void by her absence. Also…I sure know that God’s heavenly choir is now more beautiful than ever with her in it. As a child, when she and Jackie would sing at church…I don’t always remember the sermons, but I removed them singing!!
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We are so sorry for your loss. Darla was a wonderful, loving individual who cared greatly for her Lord, family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Darla illuminated from the inside out and she always made everyone feel special and loved. This world is a little dimmer without Dar Dar and her joyful nature. Heaven is rejoicing with her as the newest member of their choir.
Rest in peace Darla. We will miss you until we see you again.
Our deepest sympathies for this great loss. Darla had a beautiful voice that will be heard in heaven! Pedro always enjoyed helping whenever needed.
Mr Gilbreath our hearts break for you suffering another loss so soon after your wife. Please let us know if there is anyway we can help ease your sorrow.
What a Beauiful person and voice God has called home to be with him. It is truely a sad time for this loss to us here on earth.
A loss of a wife, mother and sister breaks our hearts. Oh! What a Glorious day for Darla to be a to dance to heaven.
God Bless this family and comfort them during this time. Love you all!
Prayers for this family! My the Lord wrap you all up and comfort you during this time.
Ms. Darla was a precious Soul. Many will miss her. She is now Resting – John 5:28 & 29
We all loved Darla. Such a special lady!
Jackie and Colony,
My heart hurts for you. Darla is unique in so many wonderful ways. Loved by all who are graced by her friendship. We love you and have constant prayers for you all. She certainly is in a special seat at our Lord’s table. Kitty & Russell Taylor
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. My heart is with you all. Darla was a beautiful and kind soul that has such a bright energy. I was blessed to know her for the short time that I did. God Bless you all.
What a beautiful lady Darla was. She had the voice of an Angel and now she sings with the Heavenly chorus. She was truly one of God’s servants, on this earth.
Many prayers for strength, as you all, travel this next journey, together. God bless.
I’m so sorry for the lost of Darla. She was a beautiful soul
I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful lady inside and out. She will be using her beautiful voice in heaven to sing. Darla family is in my prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mrs. Darla’s passing. She was one of the most influential women in my years of growing up at First Baptist Church. She was always bright, bubbly, and caring, and her heart and voice of gold were what I strived to mimic from her. She will be greatly missed but heaven is rejoicing at her arrival. Many thoughts, prayers, and well wishes for everyone who knew her and is grieving such a tremendous loss.
You will be missed, your beautiful music will live on in all our lives ❤️
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jackie and family. Rejoicing in her homecoming with the angels. May you all find comfort in our Lord.
All my love to your family.
Even though we didn’t get to know each other on a personal level, I watched you from afar and you were always shining and I remember thinking to myself….i need the sunshine SHE has. The first time I met you, you sang a solo during our very first visit to our very first church since moving here. I remember watching you sing and the entire audience just disappeared and I was in sync with your glory and worship! You were such an amazing soul and I would be selfish to say we will miss you but I know that you are singing to Jesus and just glowing like no other. Keep on glowing girlfriend. Don’t worry, we all will continue to share your shine till the end of time. RIP sweet sister in Christ.
Jackie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jackie, I am so saddened to hear the news about Darla. My heart breaks for you! I will be lifting up prayers for you and your family for strength for the days ahead. Much love to all of you!
Sharon Pierce
I am just so sorry to hear of Darla’s passing. Heaven has truly gained a beautiful soul. She will now get to sing in the heavenly choir. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Jackie, during this difficult time. Hugs to you all.
I am so sad to hear the news of Darlas passing but I know her precious spirit is in the arms of Jesus. Much love to each of you 🙏 Jerald & Dee Lee
Prayers of peace and comfort for all the family.🙏🏻
The Cogburn Family
Oh Darla there are no words. I have so many great memories at church with you. You were an absolute blast and the love you had for Jesus was an inspiration to many. I’m grateful my daughter was able to grow up and have you also as her choir teacher and you always had the best and sweetest things to say about her. You will be greatly missed, but you are in paradise with Jesus. Many prayers for the family.
Jackie we are sad to hear of the loss of your loving talented wife. Only meeting her a few times I could tell she had so much joy and love in her. May she be singing glorious in Heaven with Jesus until you meet again May God be with you and your family, Our prayers are with you. Love Lana and Jack
My heart is so sad knowing I won’t see her beautiful face or hear her beautiful voice. I have such fond memories of growing up together in our old neighborhood where we ride bikes played endlessly till the sun went down. I remember Darla always planning everything so well. She had a gift that went beyond our imagination. I love you dearly and I will miss you. Praying for you, all. No words can ease your pain but knowing how much she is loved definitely helps. All my love.
Jackie we are so sorry to hear of o loss of your wife. She was a lovely joyful lady the few times I met her, May she rest in the arms of Jesus. God be with you and your family as we pray for you all. God bless you all, Lana and Jack
We are so sorry for the loss of Darla!! She was an amazing lady!! She will be missed by so many!
Jackie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Darla will be missed and that Beautiful voice is singing in Heaven!!!!
Jackie, we are so sorry for your loss. One of my first thoughts was picturing her singing with the angels. We will be praying for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. My condolences to the entire family!
Mrs Darla, as my children always called her was a blessing to generations of children in Whitesboro. Her sweet nature and love for the Lord manifested itself in her passion for reaching young people, especially children. We are all better for having known her and saddened by her passing. The choir in heaven is better today and I look forward to hearing her, praising her Lord, throughout eternity!
Darla was beautiful inside and out. She was so kind and her singing was Heavenly. My heart is broken for Jackie and all her family and friends. May God give you all peace and comfort. She will be sorely missed. Love from Don, Cynthia, Daniel and Diana Wood.
So Sorry we didn’t know about it until today (Sunday) I just saw it on Facebook, She sang at Mothers Funeral and did a beautiful job. You have had a hard year. Love y’all Doyle & Dean Westbrook