Gwendolyn Ezelle Mitchell was born on December 9, 1938, in Derita, North Carolina, Gwen was the third of six children to Robert Lee Morrow and Susie Perry Morrow. Gwen’s formative years were in Camden, New Jersey, where family and the Church were pivotal in her life.

Advanced education was an expectation in the Morrow household and upon graduation from Camden High School, Gwen attended University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she met her future husband Robert “Bobby” Mitchell.

When Bobby, a gifted student athlete, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, they married. She became a football wife, full-time mother, and part-time student at Case Western University. Three years into Bobby’s career, he was traded to the Washington Redskins where he and Gwen became a fixture in the football, social and civic communities for more than 60 years.

Gwen completed her college coursework at American University where she graduated with a B.A. in History. She later obtained her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.

Gwen dedicated more than 15 years of service to the District of Colombia’s Public Works Division in Traffic Adjudication and Transportation Systems Administration, until she ascended to its most senior position as Administrator.

Gwen was an active participant in D.C.’s social scene and civic endeavors and lent her support to various charitable organizations. She served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee, D.C. Bar Association; the District of Columbia Board of Library of Trustees; the District of Columbia Lung Association; the Women’s Committee for the Performing Arts Society, and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. She served as President of Jack and Jill of America, D.C. Chapter, as well as on the Boards of Sidwell Friends and Bullis School.

Gwen was an active member of several women’s organizations: Sophisticates Inc., Girlfriends and The Pearls.

Gwen and Bobby served as Co-Chairs for the Bobby Mitchell Hall of Fame Golf Classic which raised more than 8.5 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma, National Capital Area, aiding its blood cancer research efforts.

Gwen leaves to honor her life a daughter Terri Mitchell, a son Robert “Neal” Mitchell (Susan), and one granddaughter (Sophia). She has one remaining sibling; a sister, Iris Celeste Simpson, and several beloved nieces and nephews, as well as extended family, who brought her the greatest joy and were instrumental in creating the precious memories she held so dear.

Gwendolyn's wishes were for everyone to wear colorful clothing to her service in remembrance of her life.