Eleanor Virginia Forte

Mother Eleanor Virginia (nee: Reams) Mitchell Forte’ age 92 of Racine, WI received her wings at her home on December 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Eleanor was born July 28, 1932, the first of ten children to Odell and Alberta (nee: Hicks) Reams in Alamo, Tennessee. Eleanor accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Johnson’s Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She also attended Central High School in Alamo, TN. Eleanor was united in holy matrimony to James Edward Mitchell in Crocket County, Tennessee. Three children were born of that union: Ruth, Hosea, and Rosalia (aka “Rose”). Later Eleanor was united in holy matrimony to George Curtis Mitchell, Sr., and conceived one child, George Curtis Mitchell II. On April 8, 1982, she was united in holy matrimony to Willie Preston Forte’

Eleanor and her three children relocated to Racine in 1952. She became an active life-long member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Eleanor was a faithful humble servant of God and the church where she attended Sunday School, and served on the Nurses Guild, Deaconess Board, Missionary Society, Pastor’s Aide, and Mothers Board until her health prevented participation. Even when she was unable to attend services, she participated in Wednesday Bible Study and Sunday Morning Worship Service via YouTube or Facebook.

Eleanor was a past member of The Eastern Star Badger Chapter #5. She continued her education in Milwaukee, WI at Ella Louise Evans Beauty School and was employed at Rosa’s (Wiggins) Beauty Salon for over two decades. She retired from Racine County High Ridge Nursing Home. Eleanor was also a Mary Kay consultant and enjoyed getting dressed up.

Eleanor looked forward to the family conference calls every Monday evening where she and her siblings shared family stories and caught up on current events. She also enjoyed connecting with loved ones on her iPhone and Apple Watch via Facebook and Instagram. Eleanor loved and adored God and her family. She also loved to cook and was very proud of her children and grandchildren.

We have so many fond memories of our beloved Eleanor, especially of her watching political commentary 24 hours a day except on Sundays when she watched church service. She was a role model for her siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her unshakeable faith, loving spirit, generosity, and compassion. She was loved dearly and will be sadly missed.

Eleanor’s legacy will live on through her loving and devoted daughter Ruth Sophora Collins, of Maywood, IL, and her loving son Rev. Dr. E. H. Mitchell, of Racine, WI. grandsons: Derric Odell Collins, of Maywood, IL; Edward Deonte’ Rucker, of St. Paul MN; Tyree Biles Rucker of Racine, WI; Cameron Scott Rucker of Racine, WI; Edward Marquell Lambert, of Racine, WI; Jermain Christopher Mitchell, Sr. of Green Cove Springs, FL; Deontray Johnson-Mitchell of Jacksonville, FL; and great granddaughters: Lillian Sophora Collins, of Maywood, IL; London Unique Lambert, Aaliyah Nicole Rucker, Khari Monae Rucker, and Tayelor Monique Rucker, all of Racine, WI; great grandsons Jermaine Christopher Mitchell, Jr., Tyree Edward Rucker, Jr., Cameron Scott Rucker, Jr., all of Racine, WI; Deontray Montel Johnson. Jr., Curtis Major Johnson, King Kyrie Johnson, A’Jayden Montel Johnson all of Jacksonville, FL.

She is also survived by her siblings Jodie Louis (Mae) Reams of Jackson, TN; Althea Mae Winters of Milwaukee, WI; Lula Faye Reams of McDonough, GA; Charles Russell (Jacquelyn) Reams Sr. of Taylors, SC; Brandy Victoria (Jeffrey) Gandy of Racine, WI; brother-in-law Donald (Patricia) Robinson, Stone Mountain, GA; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, countless cousins, in-laws and life-long friends who feel blessed that they have shared her love.

Eleanor is also survived by her sons-in-law James Willie (Linda) Fort of Dolton, IL; and Billy Earl Fort of Coatesville, PA; daughter-in-law: Diane Knight of Wilson, SC; brothers-in-law HB (Mary) Flakes of Milwaukee, WI; and Offie Flakes of Milwaukee, WI; and sisters-in-law: Offiette Flakes and Linda Flakes (John) Kincaid both of Milwaukee, WI.

Waiting to receive Eleanor at the gates of heaven are her parents, Odell and Alberta Reams, her husbands: James Edward Mitchell, George Curtis Mitchell, and Willie Preston Forte’; her son George Curtis Mitchell II, and daughter Rosalia (aka: “Rose”) Marie Mitchell; her sisters: Mae Carolyn Reams and Shirley Laverne Dawkins; her brothers: Ardell Reams, Sr. and Odis Sylvester Reams; her son-in-law George Arthur Collins, her sisters-in-law Shirley Ruth (nee: Martin) Reams, Floretta (nee: Ladd) Gaines, Annie Bea (nee: Lewis) Reams, Idelle (Barnes) Reams, Earna Ester (nee: Smith) Reams; brothers-in-law Jim Louis Winters and Thomas Edward Dawkins, Sr, nieces Deborah Antoinette Reams, and Erica Reams, and great-nephew Bakari Jaward Henderson.

The family of Eleanor wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of sympathy, comforting messages, prayers and every act of kindness shown during their bereavement. They would like to express profound appreciation to the Compassus Hospice nurses and to the selfless caregivers of Senior Helpers who made it possible for Eleanor to remain in her home with dignity and grace.

A Homegoing Service will be celebrated at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St. Saturday, December 14, 2024, 11 am with Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby officiating. Relatives and friends may meet prior to the service 10 - 11 am. Eleanor will be laid to rest next to her husband Willie at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Dover, WI in a private ceremony.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@StPaulMediaMinistry/live