Wilbert Mitchell Jr.

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 13, 2018

A celebration of life will be held for Mr. Wilbert Buboy “BeBee” Mitchell Jr., 70, at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church, 321 Center Street, New Iberia. Pastor Zack Mitchell Sr. will be the officiating minister. 

He will await the resurrection in St. James Baptist Church Cemetery in Jeanerette.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 9 a.m. Saturday at Fletcher Funeral Home and resume at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

A resident of New Iberia, he peacefully passed away at 4:19 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Lafayette General Hospital.

Wilbert Buboy “BeBee” Mitchell Jr., the son of the late Wilbert B. Mitchell Sr. and Elizabeth Bobb Mitchell, was born in Weeks Island on October 31, 1947. He was the oldest of 10 children born to this union. BeBee accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the St. James Baptist Church of Lydia. As an adult he recommitted to his Christian faith and became an active member of Word of Hope World Outreach Church of New Iberia.

From an early age, BeBee excelled in both academics and sports. He was particularly gifted in track and football. Consequently, after graduating from Jonas Henderson Senior High in 1966 he received an athletic scholarship and went on to pursue further education and collegiate football at Wiley College and Southwest Texas State. While attending Wiley College BeBee was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and developed lifelong relationships with his Omega brothers. Upon completion of his college experience he was drafted into the National Football League and enjoyed a short tenure with the San Diego Chargers. Throughout his life BeBee demonstrated a love of sports and music. As an avid music lover, he developed a passion and skill as a DJ. He passed his passion for sports on to his daughters and coached them throughout their time at New Iberia Little League.

BeBee returned to New Iberia and married his high school sweetheart, Polly Lee. Three daughters, Tamika, Coquina and Jamila were born through this union. He was a skilled oilfield operator for Unocal 76 and retired after 30 years of service. BeBee exhibited a great love for his family and friends. He was influential in the lives of the children of his late sister-in-law Yvonne Hypolite and his sister Valeria Jones. He provided them guidance, support and unconditional love. BeBee had a quiet and humble spirit that helped to shape the lives of all those who knew and loved him. He was persistent, diligent and a fighter up until the time of his transition from this earthly realm.

BeBee joins in glory his parents, Wilbert Mitchell Sr. and Elizabeth Bobb Mitchell; two sisters, Veronica and Dianne Mitchell; one brother, Kim Mitchell; maternal and paternal grandparents; a host of aunts and uncles; two sisters-in-law, Yvonne Hypolite and Sandra Lee;  one brother-in-law  Isaiah Young; and one niece Dwaynette Hypolite.

BeBee will forever be cherished by his wife of 49 years, Polly Lee Mitchell; his three daughters, Tamika, Coquina and Dr. Jamila Mitchell (Chris) of New Iberia; five grandchildren, Makaila, Jori, Cimahl, Warren IV and Naji, all of New Iberia; children and grandchildren of the late Yvonne Hypolite; two sisters, Allison Mitchell and Valeria Jones of New Iberia; four brothers Pastor Zack Mitchell Sr. (Josie) and Vernon (Theresa) Mitchell of New Iberia, Christopher Mitchell of San Francisco, and Andre (Lynn) Mitchell of Lafayette; two sisters-in-law Lynn Mitchell of Honolulu, and Lizzie Young of Oakland, California; one brother-in-law, Thorn Lee of Houston; a special aunt and uncle Deborah Coleman of New Iberia and Harold Bobb of Lydia; and two godchildren, Genara and Jamar. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.

Active pallbearers are Richard Lewis Sr., James Francis, Michael Landry, André Mitchell, Wayne Hypolite Sr., D’Juan Hypolite, Christopher Batiste and Edwin Pierre Jr.

Honorary pallbearers are Harold Bobb, Vernon Mitchell, Minister Dwayne Hypolite, Christopher Mitchell, Michael Hypolite, Jamal Jones, Gregory Hypolite,  Akimo Hypolite, Anthony Hypolite, Richard Lewis Jr., Pastor Zack Mitchell Sr., Thorn Lee, James Hypolite, Jamar Lewis, Marcques Lewis, Darweishi Lee, Jonté Hypolite, Eddie Sims Jr., Jabari Pierre, Edwin Pierre Jr., Darwin Mitchell, Malik Mitchell, Daveyon Hypolite, Nathaniel Johnson, Tyrance Antoine, Kendall Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell, Dwayne Johnson, Joshua Mitchell,  Zachary Mitchell Jr. and Warren Gregoire III.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home, 369-3341, 609 W. Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560.