Lorenda Yvette Mitchell affectionately known by her friends and family as "Big Lo" was born April 9, 1967 in Greenville, Mississippi to Vallie Scott Mitchell and the late Henry Mitchell, Sr.  She was the eldest of three children.

Lorenda confessed her hope in Christ as her personal savior at an early age.  In her youth, she sung with the St. Luke Church Choir and the Metcalfe Mass Choir.

Lorenda received her primary education in the Greenville Public School District.  She received her high school diploma as a 1986 graduate of T.L. Weston High School, Greenville, Mississippi.  She birthed two children, Keneisha and Kennedy II, by her childhood sweetheart, Kennedy Carpenter.

Lorenda worked various places in Greenville.  Her longest place of employment was Cotton Club Casino.  She was employed there until her health begin to fail.  It was then, she begin to put her energy in activities, such as cooking, playing bingo and going to the casino for her enjoyment.  During this time, she met the love of her life, Edward Ross.  On April 9, 2000 she and Edward became a couple.  She cherished every moment spent with him.

Life is surely "but a vapor", but she lived every second she could with a great effort to live, love and laugh genuinely and unapologetically.  Though her life may have seemed short to some, she lived a fulfilled life with so much joy and happiness and was determined to make a positive impact on everyone she encountered.  She was such a "people person."  It brought her great pleasure to put a smile on the face of others.  A Diva to some and a Fashionista to others, "Big Lo" had a love for fashion-clothes, make-up, jewelry, but mostly a sincere love for her family and friends.  She could always be heard trying to "out-love" you by saying, "I Love You The Mostest".

On Sunday morning, January 8, 2023, Lorenda transitioned peacefully from this earthen realm at the glorious age of 55.  She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Aaron Scott; grandmother, Elizabeth Scott; father, Henry Mitchell, Sr., uncle, Warren Scott, Sr., two (2) aunts, Patricia Scott and Barbara Scott and a cousin, Vernon Pennington, Jr.

Lorenda leaves to cherish her sweet memories, her soul mate and life partner; Edward Ross of Greenville, MS; her mother, Vallie S. Mitchell of Metcalfe, MS; one (1) daughter, Keneisha Carpenter; one (1) son, Kennedy F. Carpenter, II, both of Greenville, MS; three brothers, Henry Mitchell II of Jacksonville, FL; Johnny Roby of Kansas City, MO and Joseph Hudson of Greenville, MS; four (4) sisters, Shonda Mitchell of Metcalfe, MS, Latoya Hudson and Mary Hudson both of Greenville, MS and Magdalene Chillis of Fort Worth, TX; (3) grandchildren, Kendra K. Holmes, Kelsey K. Carpenter and Keldren K. Carpenter, all of Greenville, MS and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.