Owen Mitchell Family
By Joe Leonard

In July 1946 a family moved to Gainesville (more specifically Walnut Bend) and St. Paul’s from Breckenridge, Texas.  Their influence and imprint has been lasting and ever-present to this day.  This was the family of Owen and Mary Elizabeth Mitchell and their six children, Joseph, James, Robert, Mary (now Mrs.  Kenneth Kaden), Margaret and Eileen.  Mr. Mitchell was the warehouse manager for Sinclair Oil and Gas Company.

The entire family immediately started participating in the affairs of their new church home.  Owen served as acolyte, vestryman, and general helper.  The three sons all served as acolytes, crucifers, and taper-bearers.  Mary Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret and Eileen
all sang in the choir that was directed by Joan Lamb, with organist Rex Waggoner.  They also taught Sunday School and served in the Junior branch of the Altar Guild of which their mother was a devoted member.  Margaret served as church organist for many years, and still plays for the Episcopal Church in her hometown of Evansville, Indiana.  She is the wife of Clark Kimberling, PhD who, in 1976, wrote music for the Sanctus and Agnus Dei which remains in use today.  Two of the boys, James and Robert became Episcopal clergymen.  The family was also influential in the vocation of the Reverend William A. Crary, presently Rector of St. Laurence Church, Grapevine.

Owen and the family joined other Sinclair employees in a move to Houston in 1958, then to Tulsa before retiring to Gainesville in 1974.  He and his wife remained active parishioners until his death in 1990, and hers in 1994.  Until their deaths they were never apart from each other.

But the Mitchell legend doesn’t end there.  It continues with their granddaughter, Dianne Kaden, daughter of Kenneth and Mary, and great-granddaughter Suzanne.  Dianne is a lay reader, member of the vestry and the choir.  Daughter Suzanne is an acolyte, and also sings with the choir.  St. Paul’s is most grateful for the devotion of the Mitchell family.  Special thanks for help with this article go to Mary Kaden for sharing her family memories.

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