Bishop Thelma Jean Tines Mitchell

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | February 10, 2026

Bishop Thelma Jean Tines Mitchell, 82, died Feb. 2, 2026.

She was a faithful servant of God, a pioneering church leader, and a devoted wife, mother, and pastor whose life was marked by prayer, power, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the work of the Lord. Called, consecrated, and commissioned for ministry, she spent more than six decades preaching and teaching the Gospel, shepherding souls, and building ministries that continue to impact lives across generations to this day.

Born Feb. 20, 1943, and raised in Rectortown, Virginia, Bishop Mitchell was the twelfth child and seventh daughter of Theodore and Elsie Tines. From early childhood, her gifts were evident. She demonstrated exceptional musical ability at the age of 5, playing at the Mount Olive Baptist Church and later studying piano, serving in glee clubs, youth choirs, and church worship. Her love for sacred music, worship, and the presence of God became a defining thread throughout her life and ministry.  She studied piano at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia.

After relocating to the Pennsylvania region in the early 1960s, she pursued education and professional training, graduating from Marian’s Beauty Academy in Long Island, New York, the Pittsburgh Urban League School of Business, and later the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – overcoming the challenges as a woman pursuing ministry. Even while working in professional roles, the call of God on her life grew stronger.

At the age of 22, Bishop Mitchell committed her life fully to the Lord, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and accepted the call to preach the Gospel. She began prayer meetings and Bible studies that blossomed into a prophetic and healing ministry. Known for her bold faith, spiritual discernment, and compassionate heart, she ministered to the sick, the broken, and those in need of deliverance and hope.

At age 25, she met and married Bishop George F. Mitchell, and together they became partners in life and ministry. They evangelized throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, preaching, teaching, and planting works wherever the Lord led. Bishop Mitchell and her husband were licensed and ordained in 1971 by the late Bishop Jesse Winley at the Soul Saving Station for Every Nation Organization and General Council in Harlem, New York.  In 1972, they co-pastored in the First Baptist Church in Freedom, Pennsylvania.  In September of 1974, they founded the Free Holiness Church of Deliverance, Inc., which grew from a small congregation located in Freedom, PA, relocated to McKeesport, PA in 1980, and subsequently moved to Clairton, PA in 1983 as a thriving ministry body and is now known as Living Waters Community Ministries in Clairton, Pennsylvania. Under their leadership, the church expanded in membership, outreach, and spiritual influence, establishing strong foundations in worship, deliverance, education, and community service.

After the passing of Bishop George F. Mitchell in 1995, she continued the work with strength and grace and was consecrated Bishop and Chief Apostle in 1998. As Overseer of more than thirty churches and outreach ministries, she provided apostolic covering, instruction, and mentorship to pastors and congregations across multiple states. Her healing and deliverance ministry extended into prisons, nursing homes, radio broadcasts, street outreach and crusades, and pastoral training initiatives through her Kingdom Bible Institute.

Throughout her years of service, Bishop Mitchell received numerous awards and recognitions for her community and ministry impact.  She started Prayers Over Clairton in the late 1980’s with Clairton’s Mayor Dominic Serapiglia.  Bishop was one of the founders of Clairton’s Holy Week Musical and Services, Clairton Bible School, and the non-profit organization Christ For Clairton, Inc. in collaboration with several Clairton church pastors.  Yet her greatest joy was never in accolades, but in serving God’s people — counseling families, nurturing leaders, praying without ceasing, and pointing others to Christ. She was known as a spiritual mother, mentor, teacher, and prayer warrior whose wisdom and love strengthened countless lives.

Bishop Mitchell cherished her family and took great pride in seeing ministry continue through the next generations. Cooking was her love language, and she enjoyed preparing meals for family and friends.  She worked closely alongside her children in ministry and celebrated their gifts and callings with joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband, the late Bishop George F. Mitchell, Sr, and her son, Franchi Antonio Mitchell.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sons: Apostle Deryck Tines, Minister George (Phoenix) Mitchell of Orlando, Florida, Pastors Andre (Tamia) Mitchell, Pastor Theodore (Tonya) Mitchell. Rema Webb Johnson of New York City. Nineteen grandchildren: Nikia Boyd, Franchi Mitchell Jr, Fahraan Mitchell, George Mitchell III, Mariah Mitchell, Antonio Mitchell, Giovanni Mitchell, Kendal Mitchell, Shadrae King, Angelique Rodgers, Jacqueline Mitchell, Andre Mitchell Jr, Ted Mitchell Jr, Tatum Mitchell, Tavia Mitchell, Tara Mitchell, T Mitchell, Ayanna Johnson, Khayel Johnson. Great-grandchildren: Jeremiah Burton, Mia King-Rodgers, Amari Rodgers, Xea Rodgers, Jasiah Adamson, Ariah Dally, Elijah Saint Jean, Leviticus Saint Jean, Selah Saint Jean. Sister-in-Law, Ellen Mitchell. Brother, Deacon Hilton (Alma)Tines -Marshall, Virginia, Sisters: Vivian McQueen-Detroit, Michigan, Mattie Yates-Marshall , VA, Shirley Saxton, Maryland.  Many nieces and nephews and cousins.  Along with extended family, spiritual sons and daughters, Free Holiness Church family, and a host of those impacted by her life and ministry.

Bishop Thelma Mitchell’s legacy lives on in the churches she built, the leaders she raised, the lives she touched, and the Gospel she faithfully preached, taught, and exhibited. Her life stands as a testimony that steadfast faith, obedience to God, and love for His people can transform generations.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Arrangements are in care of Robert A. Waters Funeral Home.

Visitation
Friday, February 13, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free Holiness Deliverance & Living Waters Churches
337 Shaw Avenue
Clairton, PA 15025-1408

Funeral Service
Saturday, February 14, 2026
10:00 am
The Youth Department Children of Israel
329 9th Street
McKeesport, PA 15132

Interment following funeral service
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Round Hill Cemetery
2131 Round Hill Church Rd
Elizabeth, PA 15037 

Originally published February 10, 2026.

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