Lifenotes: Nikki Mitchell

Nikki Mitchell

Nikki Ronda Mitchell, who previously spent 22 years working as President and CEO of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter Music, died on July 9, 2013. She had been battling pancreatic cancer and passed away peacefully at her home in Normandy, Tenn. She was 58.

Mitchell also owned The River Cafe in Normandy. Friends say she was a “fearless adventurer.” As a pilot, she and Rhonda Miles re-created the 1938 history-making flight by three Russian women combat pilots from Moscow to Siberia. Mitchell’s love of outdoor pursuits led her to co-found the fly-fishing group Music City Fly Girls. Her many other interests included writing and art.

She was an active philanthropist and animal lover and helped launch an air lift program to re-locate strays from Tennessee to no-kill shelters in New England.

She was preceded in death by her father James Mitchell. She is survived by mother, June Mitchell; brother, Mike Mitchell; aunt, Jane Keel; chosen sister, Rhonda Miles; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at The Loveless Barn, July 30, at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cyst Fund in care of Michelle Goldberg, Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 N. Charles St, Suite 422-A, Baltimore MD 21201. Please reference Nikki Mitchell’s name on donations.