Stella Panoutsos Mitchell

Stella Panoutsos Mitchell, 81, of Blackstone, VA, formerly of Chicago, Illinois passed away suddenly on Friday, October 2, 2009.

She was born in Sparta, Greece, came to America in 1948, met and married the late William Bill Mitchell. They operated and owned a grocery store in Chicago, later moving to Virginia in 1966. There they owned and operated Bills Restaurant in Blackstone from 1966 to 1977. Upon retirement, she maintained an active role in her sons family business, Mitchells Restaurant, enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing poker, preparing Greek cuisine, and spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren.

Stella is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Mitchell, her daughter, Katherine Mitchell and brother, Angelo Panoutsos.

Survivors include: three children, Tina Panek (Gary) of Chicago, Ill., Mary Lou Mitchell and Gus L. Mitchell (Diana-Lynn), all of Blackstone, VA; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Nick, Whitney, Louie, Andrea, Kennedy and Kyle; a brother, James Panoutsos of Florida, and a sister, Toula Mitrakos of Greece; sisters-in-law, Bertha Loumbas and Angie Mitchell, both of Chicago; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 P.M., Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd (Bus. Hwy. 460) near Blackstone. Funeral services will be held in Chicago, Illinois, later in the week with Cumberland Funeral Chapels.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blackstone Fire Volunteer Fire Dept., 318 Church Street, Blackstone, VA 23824.

Registry and online condolences available at www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com

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