Rosie Lee Mitchell

Rosie Lee Mitchell, formerly Rosie Lee Andrews, was born on November 11, 1942, in Houston, Texas, to parents Telesmar J. Andrews and Ruby Lee Andrews.

Rosie moved to Portland, Oregon, with the family at the age of 4, and attended Boise Elementary and Jefferson High School.

She later attended Portland State University, where she received her degree in education.

She went on to have a teaching career spanning over 40 years, educating and mentoring thousands of children in the Portland area. She taught at the Albina Art Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Harvey Scott Elementary School, Ockley Green Elementary School, and Rosemary Anderson Prep; she also substituted at many more schools in the city.

Through her teaching and community activism, including in groups such as the Minority Teacher Association, she had a positive impact on many lives in our community.

Rosie had a lifelong love of music and singing, with a special love for Gospel music.

She began singing as a child and never stopped. She sang in the church choir and in the gospel groups The Gospel Lights and The Touch of Soul, with brothers John Andrews (Banjo), Don Andrews (Guitar), Robert Hatton (Bass), and Mark Morehouse (Keyboard).

The Touch of Soul had a regular Sunday afternoon gig at the original Dublin Pub in southeast Portland, where they used their music to share the gospel of Christ. Many who attended the Sunday shows stated that their Sunday performances were their Sunday church service. 

The Touch of Soul were frequent performers at the Annual Folk Life Festival in Seattle, WA.

The group was also named Gospel Group of the Year by the Portland Music Association.

Rosie was a lifelong member of the Church of the Living God PGT, where she taught Sunday School and became a church Missionary. She was a pillar in the church, where she sang, preached, and mentored.

Rosie was a very social person and loved to have fun! She had a smile that would light up a room, and it felt like she knew everyone. She always had an interesting story to tell and was steeped in knowledge of Black History. She was a tireless advocate for the minority community.

Rosie leaves to cherish her memory her son, Telesmar Jay Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Tonya Mitchell; granddaughter, Mara Palmi-Anne Mitchell; brothers, Esther Pickett and Paul Payton, and sister Sharone Valbush; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

She is preceded in her ascending by parents, Telesmar J Andrews and Ruby Lee Andrews; brothers, Wilbert Andrews, William Andrews, Telesmar J Andrews Jr., Robert Andrews, David Andrews, John Andrews, Donald Andrews, Michael Graham, and Gregory Graham,  and sisters, Vivian Andrews and Ruby Stewart.

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