Barbara Yerkes Mitchell

Barbara Yerkes Mitchell Barbara Yerkes Mitchell of Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2026. Barbara was born on March 20, 1928 at her family farm in Buckingham, PA. She was the daughter of the late William Heaton Yerkes, Jr. and Elizabeth Fetters Slack. She was raised on the family's None Such Farm in Buckingham and attended Buckingham High School where she excelled in academics and athletics. She then went on to Ursinus College where she graduated in 1949. Barbara started her teaching career in Bristol, PA after graduation. Her jobs at Bristol HS included coaching Women's Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball and Cheerleading. During her time at Bristol she coached 8 Championship Teams and created a lifetime of memories with the Bristol Community. She left teaching after 8 years and married James Mitchell in 1956. She had two children, Judith Ann and James Mitchell III. In the 1960-1970’s she officiated Field Hockey and Basketball for local high schools and colleges in the area. A highlight was refereeing the first Princeton/Yale Field Hockey game at Princeton. After she retired from refereeing she started volunteering at Lower Bucks Hospital. She did this for nearly 30 years and again developed life long friendships in this Hospital Community. She and her husband started spending winters in Fort Myers, FL in 1995. They moved there permanently after they sold their home in Levittown in 2017. Barbara was first elected to the Bristol High School Hall of Fame for her coaching success. She was later inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 for her officiating and coaching records. Former Villanova Head Coach, Jay Wright(classmate of son Jim) was also inducted at her ceremony and commented that “He never knew she was so famous!”. Barbara is survived by husband James Mitchell, Jr, daughter Judith(Husband Lamont Noble), son James III(wife Sally). Grandchildren Lindsey, Bethany, and Christian Noble, Jack Mitchell(Annie), Hank Mitchell(Peyton), Sally Ann Chapline(Mark), six great grandchildren, and brother Skip Yerkes (Judy) of Solebury. Barbara was preceded in death by her brothers John and William Yerkes. She was a devoted Christian and was looking forward to being reunited with her beloved family in Heaven. Barbara always enjoyed baking and making everyone welcome to enjoy her macaroni or homemade jams. Her husband James was faithfully by her side for the last three years as she struggled with a multitude of health problems. The family would also like to thank Hope Hospice and The Preserve in Fort Myers for their wonderful care. Barbara has donated her body to the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida for the use of Medical Programs at the University of Florida. Her ashes will be interred at the National Cemetery in Washington Crossing, PA. Relatives and friends will be invited to a celebration of her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mrs. Mitchells’ name may be made to the Bristol Alumni and Athletic Association, PO Box 31, Bristol PA 19007.

Barbara Yerkes Mitchell

March 20, 1928 - March 9, 2026