Sister Viola Mitchell Felton was born April 11, 1870 in Americus, Georgia to parentage of Mr. Floyd and Virey Armstrong Mitchell. She was an outstanding leader of her race and the pioneer organizer on the Masonic Orphan Home in Americus, Georgia.She was an active member of the Bethesda Baptist Church of Americus, Georgia. Her lifetime career was spent as a clerical office worker in Americus, Georgia. She was married to the late James M. Hart and the late A.L. Felton.
Sister Felton was the mother of 3: Terry, Ozibelle, and Mattie all of whom are deceased.
Sister Felton was an active member of the Americus Chapter No. 26 Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliated. She held several offices on the local, district and grand levels, She is most noted for a holding the office of Grand Matron for a term of thirty-two years. Sister Felton was the second person elected to this office in the State of Georgia and made history by holding this title longer than any other Grand Matron past or present.
She departed this life at her residence March 31, 1933 at 9:50 a.m. Her services were held at 2:00 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church. She was buried at East view Cemetery in Americus Georgia on April 4, 1933 with full Grand Honors of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her body rests next to her first husband and the father of her children, Mr. James Matt Hart.