Mitchell, Phyllis (Brinkley)

Phyllis (Brinkley) Mitchell, 62, died Friday, July 29, 2011, at her home following a long illness. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 6, at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello, where friends may register after 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Goettsch Funeral Home Monticello is caring for Phyllis and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University Hospital Transplant services or Hospice of Mercy.

Phyllis Darlene Brinkley was born April 6, 1949, in Chickasha, Okla. She was the only child of Roy and Dortha Dolch Brinkley. Her childhood was spent in rural Arizona, where she attended Agua Fria High School. After high school, Phyllis relocated to Garden Grove, Calif., during which time she cultivated her love of photography.

Phyllis returned to Arizona in 1979 and married her true love, Jack Mitchell on August 16, 1981. Together they owned Mitchell of Paradise Valley Fine Photography. Phyllis and Jack moved to Monticello in 1999, where Phyllis worked for Dr. Suren Seth. Most recently she worked for Mercy Care Physicians in Marion until she was physically unable to work any longer. A woman of remarkable strength and courage, Phyllis was a 10 plus year liver transplant survivor and cancer survivor.

Phyllis is survived by her husband and best friend, Jack Mitchell; and four children, Paul (Misty) Gabriele, Monticello, Steve Mitchell, Lewisville Texas, and Jackie (Phil) Lambert and Jamie Appleby, both of Monticello.

She will be greatly missed by her eight grandchildren, Danny Merfeld, Jazzmine Barker, Kirsten and Alan Lambert, Katie and Kody Goettsch, and Jack and William Mitchell.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Dortha.