Uncrowned Community Builders

Pearl Leatherman (affectionately known as Mama Pearl) was born on February 20, 1917 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. She spent the first ten years of her life in Denver, Colorado with her parents George Leatherman Jr. and Olive Leatherman. She was a very bright and resourceful little girl who, at the age of five, figured out how to find her way home after being accidentally left at the Zoo on a school field trip. Although Pearl enjoyed life in Denver, she really looked forward to visiting her Grandpa Georgeââ?¬â?¢s farm in Oklahoma, where her family eventually relocated.

Pearlââ?¬â?¢s mother, Olive Leatherman McCann, attended Langston College and began a career as a teacher in the Kingfisher School System. While at Langston, young Pearl attended the Teacher Training School and she completed two grade levels in one year. Because of her outstanding academic record, she was often asked to take over classes for younger students when no substitute was available. It was no surprise to anyone when she graduated as class Valedictorian.

From high school, Pearl Leatherman immediately enrolled in the Music Academy in Wichita, where she studied the piano. She was already an accomplished pianist, playing for school programs and the Methodist Church in Kingfisher. It was in Wichita that this exuberant 17 year old music student began a new life as the person we all know and love, Mrs. Pearl Mitchell.

She met Hulon Mitchell of Purcell, Oklahoma at a church convention in Wichita, Kansas. He was a uniquely self-taught musician (he played and mastered many musical instruments) and Evangelist. Pearl and Hulon fell head over hills in love and they both decided that whatever plans they had up to that point would have to take a back seat to a new plan. At age 17, Pearl and Hulon, who was 20, were married in Wichita, Kansas on December 25, 1934. As Pearl embarked upon her new married life, she was guided by the very important principle of giving service; service to her husband, family, church and community.

Pearlââ?¬â?¢s Musical Missionary work involved several Oklahoma Churches; in the cities of Pauls Valley, Watonga, Perry including Westside and Antioch Church of God in Christ in Enid. With the marriage of two very religious musicians and Evangelist of the Gospel, a Musical Dynasty had begun. The musicians began having children in 1937, and it seems that as the children arrived each was taught to play a musical instrument. The Musical Evangelists eventually had 15 children, all can either play an instrument or sing and many can do both!

The Musical Mitchells included: Parents Hulon and Pearl Mitchell, Hulon Jr., Ramona, Thelma, Leon, Barbara, Palmor, James, Jefferson, William, Leona, Oliver, Milton, Marvin, Byron and Clifford. The ââ?¬Å?Musical Mitchellsââ?¬ were among the First Recording Artists in the Enid, Oklahoma area and appeared on the ââ?¬Å?Ted Mac Amateur Hourââ?¬ and toured Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma singing Gospel Music. Many of the children performed in school bands competing in solo and group competitions, as well as, on television shows. Still others obtained musical scholarships and competed at the College level. One Musical Mitchell has gone on to International Fame as an Opera Singer, Leona Mitchell. Even though Pearl had fifteen children of her own, there was hardly a meal served where additional children were not included. Her home was also a place to rest a weary head, for an endless parade of visitors, many connected to the church.

In addition to fulfilling duties as a District Missionary, Church Mother and Musical Evangelist, Pearl Mitchell was also a Community Advocate, Political Activist, Piano Teacher, Singer, Playwright, Seamstress, Cook, Charitable Friend to all, and one of the First Three African American Licensed Practical Nursing Student Graduates of the first Nursing Class at the O.T. Autry VO-Tech School. Pearl was also a former employee of St Maryââ?¬â?¢s Hospital and Bass Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma, working over 20 years as an LPN. She was voted Mother of the Year by the PTA for her unfailing devotion to her childrenââ?¬â?¢s school programs.

Dr. Pearl Mitchell faithfully served the church community alongside her husband, the late Rev. Dr. Hulon Mitchell, holding different church offices at the District and State levels. Pearl Mitchellââ?¬â?¢s record of service is virtually unparalleled. It is as if she literally took the Christian Credo of imitating the Masterââ?¬â?¢s Work ethic to heart. Pearl Mitchell passed away at the age of 88, on Monday; December 19, 2005 in Wichita, Kansas.