Olvetta Mitchell born September 30, 1933 was the oldest of the late Elder Rayford Henry Cherry and Deaconess Celestine Cherry. She was a third generation member of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A, joining at age nine at Christ Temple in Gary, Indiana. She remained a faithful choir member. She also loved singing with her siblings as a member of the “Christ Temple Five.”
Olvetta graduated from Roosevelt High School Gary, Indiana in 1952. She married “James” her sweetheart on May 25, 1954. After completing his first pastorship in Akron, Ohio, her husband accepted the call to pastor Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. in Gary, Indiana. With the faith that God would send the flock, in 1979, the congregation was moved from 2472 Pierce Street, to a larger edifice at 4201 Washington Street in Gary, Indiana. There Olvetta labored with her husband as she raised her nine children.
In 1988, Elder Mitchell was elevated to Bishop to preside over the North-Central Diocese, of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. and to pastor the Christ Temple Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri. She served as a member of the Board of Bishop’s Wives and remained as a part of the board until her death. In 1993, they returned to Gary. Continuing in their life of ministry, Emmanuel COCH was established in Merrillville, Indiana. She was a member of the Mother’s Board and Praise Team. Her meek spirit was an example to all who strived to be a virtuous woman of God.
She is remembered as an accomplished seamstress, a prayer warrior, a quiet leader and protector. Olvetta is survived by her children, Brenda (Reginald) Marcus; Anthony (Michele) Mitchell.; Janet (Theodore) Callion; James L. Mitchell; Celestine (Lucien) Gochett; Melvin (Judy) Mitchell; Jarrett D. Mitchell; Michael (Rae) Mitchell.; and Lisa (Ardell) DuPaty. She also leaves 11 grandsons, three granddaughters, her siblings, Julius Cherry, Willie Cherry, Forris Johnson, Joyce Harris, Melvia Dean, Ruthia Cherry and Jerome Cherry, as well as a host of relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2016, from 2:00pm -6:00pm, and wake from 6:00pm – 7:30 pm at Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., 4201 Washington Street, Gary, IN. Funeral services will follow at 9:30 am on Saturday, August, 13, 2016, at church. Interment- Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations have been request to be made to the American Cancer Society or Emmanuel Church of Christ Holiness (U.S.A.), 125 E 73rd Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410.
