Shawn (Sharlene) G. Mitchell

Decatur - Shawn (Sharlene) G. Mitchell,83, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday September 4, 2024.

She was born February 13, 1941, to Irene (Gruber) and Glendale LaBott, in Evanston, Illinois. Raised in Chicago, Illinois she played piano/organ in all school choirs and won awards in singing solos. Shawn “Saved many Lives”, because of her teaching them how to Survival Swim since 1971, all over the world. She published her swim instruction book, “Swim for your Life”.  Shawn is past honored Queen of Job’s Daughters, past mother advisor of Rainbow Girls, and past matron of Shuri Chapter #1, order of the Eastern Star. She was the founder of the Benbrook Library, The Benbrook Chamber of Commerce, and the North Texas Emu Association. She danced with the Decatur 8’ers Square Dancers. She also played piano and organ in the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. Shawn never met a stranger and walked daily with her hand in God’s.

She is preceded in death by husbands, Lannie Ross Mitchell and Frank V. Zarauskas; and  her sister, Barbara L. Heckenbach.

Those left to cherish her memory are her niece, Janet Ferone of Chicago, Illinois; close family friends Gilbert and Carole Lybrook and Dr. Thomas Steffen all of Decatur, extended family members and a host of friends.

Hawkins Funeral Home Boyd

940-433-5310

www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com