Jean Ellen (Mcnaught) Mitchell

Jean Ellen McNaught Mitchell, age 88, of Highlands, NC, passed away peacefully on September 18th, 2015. She was born on September 26th, 1926 to the late General Warren Henry McNaught and Marion Ray McNaught. Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, James Robert Mitchell Sr. of Friday Harbor, WA and her brother David Alger McNaught.

Arrangements have been made through Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home in Franklin, NC. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com. Jean and her late husband James will be interred at a National Military Cemetery.

Jean was a raised in an Army family, and made many moves in her lifetime. She was graduated from Mills College, with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, then earned her Master’s Degree from Claremont Graduate University in California. Jean followed in her Father’s footsteps, served as an Army Officer, as a Clinical Psychologist for several years, before going into private practice. Jean was an environmental activist, a member of the Ozark Society, Sierra Club, Cousteau Society, and Nature Conservancy. She was active in the cause against the fluoridation of water, an active member of the Natural Food Organization promoting the raising of organic foods which she accurately predicted would one day become mainstream. Jean was an avid reader, world traveler and student of the spiritual realm. She was a lifelong Unitarian.

Jean and James retired to Friday Harbor, WA, in the beautiful San Juan Islands, where they enjoyed over 20 years of retirement. While living in Friday Harbor, they captained their yacht on many trips to Canada and to Alaska. They particularly enjoyed their trips when family members joined them. Jean also served in an elected capacity as Water Commissioner. After the passing of her husband, Jean moved to NC, to be near her son, James Jr, Catherine and Grandchildren.  In 2013 she traveled by Amtrak train from East to West Coast into Vancouver, BC, to board a cruise ship bound for Alaska with James, Catherine, Deena and 6 of her Grandchildren, to visit her other son Frank in Anchorage.

Jean is survived by her son Frank Warren, wife Deena Elkholy of Anchorage, AL, their children, Liam, Charlotte,  Gretchen, and by her son James Robert Mitchell Jr,  wife Catherine Lee Jones Mitchell of Charleston, SC and Highlands NC, their children James Robert Mitchell III, (wife Jen, Great Granddaughter Alexandra) Ashley, Courtney and Hunter. She is also survived by her sister Marion McNaught and a niece and nephew of Winston‑ Salem, NC.