Camille Borroum Mitchell

Mama—April 17, 1926 10:25 am to February 6, 2023 8:19 pm
96 years, 9 months and 20 days

A Life Reflecting The Benefits of Eating Sugar on a Daily Basis

Loretta Camille Borroum Mitchell a/k/a “PuttPutt” to friends and some relatives has finished her job on this side and received her final “call” on February 6, 2023 at 8:19 pm while sitting on the side of her bed with her best friend Milo. Her husband, McCamie Kimmons Mitchell, our father, previously received his call on September 19, 1975.

Typical of “PuttPutt” she wrote her own “damn” obituary. And just as typical her four offspring, Beverley, Bo, Lex & Lyn, they could only find bits & pieces of it in her piles of handwritten notes & newspaper clippings. Thus they were left with the job of finishing it. Now, this is not to say that PuttPutt was a hoarder, but when your life spans a century?

To shovel PuttPutt’s remarkable life into a few lines of ink is difficult, if not impossible, but here goes. On a beautiful Saturday morning on the 17th day of April 1926, PuttPutt was born in Corinth unto Mable Loretta Watson “Lolo” & Colonel James Lannes Borroum. Other than PuttPutt’s birth and Zhang Zuolin’s army entering Beijing nothing else significant occurred that day.

Without delay she attained the age of 6 and breezed through Corinth grammar school and high school, without contracting polio or chicken pox, graduating in 1944. A “trailblazer” as well as a “ hellraiser” she graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 1948 — becoming the first practicing woman pharmacist in Mississippi.

She returned to Corinth in June 1948 to begin her 73 year career as the pharmacist for Borroum’s Drug Store—which her great-grandfather, Dr. A. J. Borroum founded in 1865. Through out her career she was a staunch supporter of the University of Mississippi’s the School of Pharmacy.

PuttPutt was a true Renaissance Woman — wife, mother, Scout Leader, artist, writer, pilot, equestrian, civic leader, pharmacist, historian, animal rights activist …! She had a flair for excelling at any challenge—intelligent, stubborn, opinionated, demanding of herself as well as others—a woman who made and left her mark. She was never motivated by the dollar or the accumulation of wealth. PuttPutt’s sole motivation in her own words
“ All life is important but the impact your life has on others should be your goal.”

One of PuttPutt’s most memorable characteristics was her life long love affair with Sugar. She used Sugar on everything from toast to crushed ice. She always said everything is better with Sugar including Life! If what you eat is the key to a long life—then eat Sugar, lots of it and often! PuttPutt’s Life was full, long and packed with Sugar.

There is so much more that could be said, but in the end, what she did was make our world a better place through her limitless kindness, tenacity and talent. Whether it was opening up the pharmacy at 4:00 am to fill a prescription for which she knew she would never be paid or taking food to a homeless pet. She was an animal lover—of both 2 legs & 4 legs!

She is survived by her children, Bo Mitchell, Lex Mitchell, Beverly Mitchell Franklin, Lyn Mitchell; grandchildren, Lex Mitchell II, Lesley Lancaster, Kimmons J. Mitchell, Kirby Milligan; great grandchildren, Lexi Lancaster, Luke Lancaster, Haze Milligan

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Memorial Funeral Home with Dr. Don Elliott officiating. Burial will follow in the City Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 pm Thursday to service time.

In lieu of flowers or donation to a particular charity, pay it forward as PuttPutt did through an unexpected act of kindness, either large or small, anonymously in memory of Camille Borroum Mitchell and have yourself a Bloody Mary!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialcorinth.com for the Mitchell family.

Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home