Claire Madeline Mitchell

Claire Madeline Houck Mitchell died on April 17, 2026, at Arbor Springs Healthcare in Opelika, AL. Claire was born on her family’s farm in Spotsylvania County, Virginia on October 11, 1931, to parents Franklin Noah Houck and Minnie Roten Houck. Minnie and Noah settled in Virginia after moving from the mountains near Boone, North Carolina, shortly after they were married. Claire loved to reminisce about her adventures growing up in Spotsylvania County and remained deeply connected to her relatives and friends there and in the mountains of North Carolina throughout her life. 

After graduation from Spotsylvania High School in 1952, Claire attended vocational school to become a hairdresser. She and a fellow classmate then set up their own salon in Warrenton, Virginia and soon had a thriving business. Claire met her husband, Claude Milton “Boots” Mitchell, while he was based at a small Air Force radar station nearby in Front Royal, VA. After the birth of their first child, they moved to Boots’ family farm in Beauregard, AL and later to Opelika. There, Claire and Boots raised their 4 children and owned and operated two small businesses, Mitchell TV, Sales and Service and Mitchell Furniture, for more than 30 years. Claire devoted her life to caring for her family, especially her grandchildren. 

Claire is predeceased by her husband C.M. “Boots” Mitchell; sons John (Kathy) and Jeff; parents Noah and Minnie Houck; sister Faye Dugan, and brothers Donald, Rolf, Howard and Onard Houck. 

Claire is survived by her daughter, Angela M. Calhoun, her husband Porter and their daughter Grace; son Grady L. Mitchell and his wife Arlene; daughter in law, Kathy Gentle Mitchell (John) and their daughters Maria, Elise and her husband John Michael Walker, and Julia and her husband Mitchell Washburn; grandson Justin Mitchell (Jeff), his wife Natalie, and great grandchildren Eli, Brennan, Harbor and Aurora. Claire is also survived by niece Susie Dugan Agan (Elmer) and grandniece Etta Agan Bradecamp (Denny); nieces Mary Lou Edwards Smith (Harry) and Gayle Edwards Berry (Bill); 1st cousin, once removed Donna Fleming (Howard) and many more nieces, nephews and cousins. 

The family would like to extend special appreciation to the staffs at The Harbor and at Arbor Springs Nursing Care. 

A visitation with the family is planned for 9:45am – 10:45am on Friday, April 24 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with a graveside service at 11:00am in Garden Hill Cemetery.