Virginia Lee Deale Mitchell, a true Sussex Countian, slipped away peacefully into a better world Saturday, May 16, 2026. Born Jan. 4, 1934, she was 92 years young and is finally joining her beloved husband, George Henry Mitchell; her parents, Theodore R. and Pauline C. Deale of Lewes; her sons, Lynn and Gary; and her brother, Theodore R. Deale Jr.

Virginia was one of those rare people who had the good fortune to live in one place, Dewey Avenue, her entire life, bringing a sense of place to all her neighbors. She worked hard all her life, beginning in high school. She was a member of Lewes Class of 1951. Her first job was working at Clifton’s, a newsstand and soda fountain on Second Street, then she moved on to work for Consolidated Fish, where she met George, a Lewes Beach original. After that, she spent 13 years with Hoenan General Contractors and finally seven years working for Marvin Ingram at Shore Building Supply.

She and George were obsessed gardeners, always believing that eating fresh was better, long before it was a thing. She was also an accomplished seamstress. The two of them, and later just her, always stood ready to help a whole array of neighbors with many projects.

Virginia is survived by her brother-in-law, Alfred Mitchell and his wife Marlyn; sister-in-law, Bessie Walker; and nieces and nephews. Most of all, she left behind her friends and neighbors, who now find Dewey Avenue forever changed.

She will begin her rest beside her George at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, if friends would like to call.

If you are moved to remember her, a donation to Meals on Wheels would make her very happy and, of course, do a good deed for a neighbor.

Online condolences can be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.