James Mitchell Sr.

James Mitchell, Sr. was born on January 1, 1928 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was one of eleven children born to the late Ms. Evelina Mitchell. He departed this life on Friday, October 2, 2009.

He attended the local public schools on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. After a short time working as fisherman on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, He moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1948 where he worked as an automotive mechanic with Cooper Motors. After the closing of Cooper Motors, he went to work for the Savannah Coca Cola Bottling Company where he worked for more than thirty years and retired. He also worked as a longeshoreman for International Longshoreman Association Local 1414 for more than twenty years.

At an early age, he was baptizd and became a member of the historic First African Baptist Church on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Some years after moving to Savannah, he became a member of Happy Home Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a member of the Usher Board.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Smith Mitchell;
four children, James Mitchell, Jr. (Johnnie) of Hilton Head Island, SC, Mary Smith of Savannah, Georgia, Benjamin Mitchell (Ann)of Ridgeland, SC, and Melvin Mitchell (Brenda) of Hilton Head Island, SC; Eleven grandchildren, John O. Mitchell (Melanie), Lucinda S. Mitchell, April S. Scott, Patrick Mitchell (Nettie), Devin Mitchell, Ashley Mitchell, Bernicia Phoenix, Alonzo Phoenix, Demetris Mitchell, Denardis Mitchell and Earnest Mitchell; eighteen great-grand children, Hannah Mitchell, Jared Mitchell, Victoria Smith, Alexander Benda, Patrick Barnes, Jamon Mitchell, Shenika Franklin, Candice Holston, Jasmin Holston, Ramonda Ashley, Briana ashley Richard Holston, Diamante Mitchell, Damani Mitchell, D'mia Mitchell, Dai Chaden Mitchell, Kalagia Mitchell and Dakota Mitchell; six brothers, William Mitchell (Delores), Ulysses Mitchell, Albert Mitchell, Richard Mitchell (Ethel), Earl H. Mitchell (Brenda) and Charles Mitchell (Rev. Lillian); three sisters, Lucille Tyler, Julia Bailey, and Elnora Aiken. He was predeceased by a sister, Annie MAe Mitchell. He also leaves a special niece, Dorothy (Sam) Washington and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. James Mitchell Sr., will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Happy Home Baptist Church, 1015 East Gwinnett Street, with Bishop K.E. McNeal, pastor, Rev. Alvin Petty, officiating. Interment: Pine Field Cemetery, Hilton Head Island, SC. Reposing at the church from 9 a.m., until hour of service.