Marion Jeanette Mitchell Hoskins, a longtime educator whose life threaded through classrooms and church ministries, died July 18, 2026. She was 85.
A life in teaching and service
Born Jan. 25, 1941, in Sumter, South Carolina, Hoskins spent nearly six decades shaping young minds and building lasting friendships. Her family roots were broad — she was one of twelve children and shared a special bond with her twin sister, Miriam Jeanne Mitchell Baker. Those who knew her by the affectionate nicknames — Aunt Net, Det and the Queen — recall a woman whose presence felt steady and familiar.
She pursued higher education with notable dedication, earning a master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and later a second master’s from Olivet. Her career in the classroom stretched across states, and she forged bonds with students and fellow teachers in West Virginia and Tennessee. Beyond the schoolroom, Hoskins was active at Erin Church of the Nazarene, where she led children’s ministries and organized Caravan programs and campouts that created lifelong memories for attendees.
Passions and pastimes
Hoskins collected moments as carefully as others collect stamps — a lover of travel who visited family and friends across the country and delighted in familiar haunts such as the Sumter church camp each summer. She savored bluegrass music, followed baseball with enthusiasm, and took joy in birdwatching. Friends and family say she delighted in the color purple and was legendary for her homemade cheesecakes, Halloween cookies and thoughtfully chosen Christmas gifts.
"She will always be remembered for calling everyone Friend and meaning it."
Family and remembrance
Hoskins is survived by her son, Steve Hoskins (Stephanie); her granddaughter, Allison; brothers Daniel Mitchell and Ralph Mitchell (Audrey); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Talmadge Wadford and Maddie Felicia Heckel Mitchell, and several siblings.
Local arrangements are set in Clarksville. Visitation and service details are listed below for those who wish to pay respects.
| Event | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Visitation (evening) | Thursday, July 30, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Nave Funeral Home |
| Visitation (day) | Friday, July 31, beginning 10:00 a.m. | Erin Church of the Nazarene |
- Born Jan. 25, 1941, in Sumter, S.C.
- Spent 59 years teaching in West Virginia and Tennessee
- Active member of Erin Church of the Nazarene and leader in children’s ministry
In a city where classrooms and community overlap, Hoskins’s life is a reminder of the small rituals that shape neighborhoods: evening programs, campfires, shared meals and the familiar comfort of someone who always called you by a friendly name. For many in Clarksville, that will be the lasting echo of her presence.
