Ila Dean Smith Mitchum was called to her heavenly home on October 21, 2024, passing quietly and peacefully.
Those in her circle of loyal friends, and others who knew Ila through her deep, abiding devotion to her church and her philanthropic commitments understood that Ila was a genuine pillar of the Huntsville community — on all the measures that truly matter.
She was exceptionally generous; she was equally giving of her own time, with specific volunteer roles that spanned a quarter century or more; and she nurtured enduring relationships across a close group of friends and within her family.
Ila passed just 10 days shy of her 97th birthday, leaving a quiet legacy of devotion that speaks for itself, and earned the admiration of all who knew her.
She was a devoted wife and mother; she was the one and only LaLa to her adoring grandchildren, and a darn good cook. But “homemaker” would be an incomplete description of Ila’s role and contributions.
Her work ethic – developed in her early years in Jacksonville and Anniston – would see her at the Huntsville Hospital information desk every Friday for more than 30 years.
Before it was recognized as one of the vital, unsung roles in our democracy, Ila served as a poll worker for 25-plus years.
On Sundays at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, church friends knew where Ila and her family would be sitting, and knew they would be there early, without fail. She held positions on many committees, including serving as Wedding Committee Chairman for 10 years. On days when a wedding was taking place, everyone involved took it as a matter of fact that Ila would be there, selflessly handling the details and ensuring every ceremony was flawless.
She loved sharing fun times with her friends, time with her family and time at the beach. She was a Charter member of Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Millennium Society, as well as a supporter and member of the Huntsville Botanical Gardens from its beginning.
Ila was born October 31,1927, to parents Clyde and Claudia Smith in Jacksonville. She graduated from Anniston High School. She and Leonard married in 1952. They lived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee before coming to Huntsville in 1956.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Leonard L. Mitchum, and sister, Joyce Smith Phillips. Ila is survived by daughter, Susan Cox; brother, Charles Smith; granddaughter, Anna Cox; grandson, Andy Cox and wife Sara; great-grandson Sullivan Mitchum Cox; and multiple nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the wonderful caregivers at Fleming Farms Memory Care and also the special ladies at Blue Feather In-Home Care.
Visitation will be on Monday, October 28 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, followed by a funeral service starting at noon at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, Ila’s decades of service can be extended via contributions to Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, or Weatherly Heights Baptist Church.
