Bookkeeper leaves $10,000 to KNF

Avanell Sherrill Mitchell, ­who died this past May, left a certificate of deposit worth $10,001.05 to the Kansas Newspaper Foundation.

Mitchell was a bookkeeper at the Southwest Daily Times in Liberal for more than 50 years.

She began work at the Daily Times during World War II and retired in 1994 as assistant to the publisher, Jim Elsberry.

She was named Employee of the Century during a reunion of past employees.

“I am so happy she did this,” said Earl Watt, owner-publisher of the Leader & Times and a former co-worker of Mitchell’s.

Doug Anstaett, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said Mitchell's gift ranked as one of the top five individual donations in KNF's history.

"What a surprise to open the mail on Monday and get this unexpected gift," he said. "It's obvious Avanell had a soft spot in her heart for the industry she served for a half century. The entire newspaper industry in Kansas is grateful to her."