Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. will recognize community leader Mary Mitchell as Honorary Orange Mound Historian on October 23rd. The ceremony starts at noon at the Orange Mound Senior Center, 2590 Park Avenue. “I’m pleased to honor Ms. Mitchell for her efforts to preserve the heritage of Orange Mound. She’s been a tireless advocate for churches, community groups and civic clubs,” said Mayor Luttrell.

Ms. Mitchell was born in Orange Mound 81 years ago. She lives at 2866 Douglass Avenue, the family home of seven generations. At an early age, she joined her grandmother at civic events and community meetings. “That’s when I learned to be an advocate. My desire to help people through the years led to a sincere appreciation for the entire neighborhood,” said Ms. Mitchell.

Orange Mound is bounded by Airways Boulevard on the west, Semmes Street on the east, Lamar Avenue on the south and Southern Avenue on the north.

“Ms. Mitchell routinely conducts tours of Orange Mound that highlight interesting facts about famous residents, restaurants, parks, cemeteries and churches. I join with Mayor Luttrell to thank her for promoting her community’s rich history,” said Shelby County Historian Jimmy Ogle.

In 2015, Mayor Luttrell launched an initiative to recognize the history of the cities, towns and unincorporated areas of Shelby County. The official seals of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis and Millington were mounted in the lobby of the Vasco A. Smith Shelby County Administration Building at160 North Main in downtown Memphis.

The mayor also created a rotating exhibit in the building’s lobby of historical documents, pictures and artifacts about communities throughout Shelby County. The Orange Mound exhibit was displayed from February-July of this year.

“Shelby County will grow stronger when we learn more about our neighbors and embrace the history of their communities,” added Mayor Luttrell.