Julia Orrease Mitchell

Julia Orrease Mitchell departed this life on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Julia was born on September 9, 1936 to the late Myrtle Duncan and James Butler.

Julia or Nanny, as she was affectionately known, was born in Glenridge, NJ and later moved to Brooklyn, NY. She spent 18 years in Brooklyn where she graduated from a Catholic High School. She relocated to Montclair, NJ where she resided for 29 years before relocating to East Orange, NJ in 1984. She maintained her residency in East Orange until her passing.

Nanny was employed as a Home Health Care Aide early in her career. She later maintained employment with Andre Products, weaving pool covers, while also maintaining employment at the DLV lounge as a bartender. Later in life, she worked as a seamstress making beautiful curtains of fine fabric.

Nanny was a loving, selfless woman who opened her door and heart to all.  She passionately cared for all children that were blessed to be within her sphere of love. Nanny loved having family gatherings in her home preparing a huge feast for everyone, weekly.  She never knew who was going to show up and it didn’t matter.  Once you entered the door, you were family and there would be enough for you to eat. 

She had a love for reading books of all genres, but especially loved her bible and any religious material.  She didn’t read the bible to be able to appoint an authoritative finger at anyone, rather, she read it to get closer and closer to God.  In her library, you would find books by James Paterson, Danielle Steele, TD Jakes and even National Geographic.  Just as her library was open to many books regardless of the cover, so was her heart open to all regardless of their background or beliefs.

Two things that she is especially proud of was being a good mother and grandmother. As a mother she worked several jobs and did whatever she could to make ends meet.  As a grandmother, she spend most of her days cooking, laundering, cleaning, checking homework, hugging and correcting.  As a grandmother is where she became Nanny and that is the name that most everyone began to call her to this day.

Nanny was predeceased by her husband Norman P. Mitchell Jr, her sister Grayce Cooper and her daughter Theresa Maxine Leftwich.

Nanny is survived by her loving brother James S. (Shirley) Butler; beloved children Arthur E. McClearin, Norma Mitchell Johnson, Bonnie (Ronnie) Mitchell Rodgers, Norman G. (Wanda) Leftwich Jr. and Kim Murray, treasured grandchildren Vincent (Bethany) Watson, Rhonda N. Saunders; Morrease (Iquana) Leftwich; Shaheed (Syreeta) Leftwich; Reginald D. Johnson Jr.; Fatimah L. Leftwich; Norman G. Leftwich III; Fard A. Murray; Julia O. Leftwich; Ashley M. Rodgers; Janelle K. Leftwich and Travers (TJ) McClearin; Many Great Grandchildren; devoted friends Jean Coelho and Ann Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends

Nanny would like for everyone to remember her for what she meant to you and the memories that you shared with her.

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