The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Barbara Jeanne Mitchell of Miami, Ariz., was an amazing woman with a very eventful life over her 68 years on earth.
She was born in Van Nuys, Calif. to Betty and Paul Dutcher in 1951.
She grew up in Phoenix, Ariz., and was an active participant in the Phoenix Jaycee’s riding program, where she won multiple awards.
During her teens, Barbara became lifelong friends with a man named Don Pietromonaco “Johnny Rabbit,” a famous radio DJ in the Phoenix area, who gave her opportunities of a lifetime.
He took her under his wing and introduced her backstage to dozens of world-famous bands of the day. Because of her connection with “Johnny Rabbit,” she was able to share her crafts and baked goods to the bands backstage.
Barbara’s first daughter is named Anna, who was taken from Barbara when Anna was age four by her ex-husband. She then had another daughter named Natalie, but unselfishly gave her up for adoption because she felt that she could not provide for Natalie properly at the time.
At about age 23, Barbara moved to Harstine Island in Washington State, where she had two more children, Jayne and Don. Don Mitchell was named after her friend Don Pietromonaco because of their tightly bonded friendship. Barbara later moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she attended Pierce College and continued her education in animal husbandry. While living there, she met Gary Allen who was the costume designer for a world-famous music artist, Billy Idol. Gary was so impressed by Barbara’s sewing talents that he hired Barbara to be seamstress for Billy Idol and for the band “Ready for the World.” You can see her work on both of the bands’ album covers and music videos. Barbara was also the inventor of the first fanny pack. Barbara always said she should have patented her fanny packs, which would have made her a multi-millionaire.
While Barbara was living in Los Angeles, she was joyfully reunited with Anna who lived in Phoenix. Anna then convinced Barbara to move back to the Miami/Globe, Ariz. area where her mother Betty Dutcher and brother Jim Dutcher and the rest of the family lived.
In 2002, Barbara was reunited with Natalie and Barbara instantly included her as one of her children from the moment they reconnected. Barbara’s family was now back together!
In Globe, Barbara obtained employment with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, where she worked tirelessly for many years until she finally retired from the Reservation as a senior biller in the Accounts Receivable Department in 2017.
Barbara earned multiple awards while working with the Tribe and was, in fact, preparing to come out of retirement to return to work with the Tribe when she passed. During her employment with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, she met Robert Bear, a world-renowned Apache Shaman and educator, who became the love of her life until his death in about 2014.
Robert was just what she needed in her life, as he lovingly stepped in as a father figure to all of her children and made Barbara feel happy, cherished and loved.
Barbara passed her knowledge, passions and creative talents to all of her children. Some of her talents included leather tooling and construction, costume design, beading, dream catchers and Native American art, canning and food preservation and writing. Her practicality, her unrelenting research into nutrition and health and her many creative talents will forever live on within her children and grandchildren.
In the spring of 2014, Barbara accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, securing her eternal home with our Father. She faithfully attended Central Heights Baptist Church and was baptized in the Fall of 2018.
In time, Barbara assisted with money counting and VBS. She was loved by her church family and shared her love for Jesus with everyone she met.
Barbara found great delight in using Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family, and she absolutely loved doing research on the internet.
Barbara continued to homestead in the Miami, Ariz. area until her untimely death on May 3, 2019, at the age of 68.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Betty Dutcher and Robert Bear. She is survived by her four children Anna Marshall Flood, Natalie Marie Allen Sullivan-Knight, Jayne Mitchell Marcum and Don Mitchell.
Siblings are Jim Dutcher and wife, Leneve; and JoAnn Dutcher. Grandchildren are Zachary Friedman, Taylor Flood, Jordan Flood, Andrew Cox, Thomas Cox Vanessa Mitchell and Lilly Howell; and great-grandson Carter Sullivan.
Services were held at Central Heights Baptist Church, located at 5468 South Apache Ave, Central Heights, Ariz., on Saturday May 18, 2019.
Viewing was held at 10 a.m. and services were held at 11 a.m. She was laid to rest at 4:45 p.m. MST in Camp Verde, Ariz.
The family was assisted by Bulman Miles Funeral Services.
Guestbook can be signed at www.BulmanMiles.com
