Herbert R Mitchell

Mr. Herbert Royal Mitchell, age 95, of Douglasville, GA passed away Monday, January 19, 2015. He was born November 3, 1919 in Atlanta, GA to James Royal and Georgia L. Jasmer Mitchell. At the age of 16, out of 10,000 contestants, Herb won a nation-wide essay contest on the movie “Union Pacific” that he was encouraged by his English teacher to enter. Mr. Mitchell worked at Rich’s in Atlanta for 43 years advancing to Shop Supervisor and in charge of decorating Rich’s famous Christmas Tree. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps in September of 1942. As a Bombardier/Navigator he flew 35 missions over the European Theater during WWII. He then served with the Air Force Reserve where he climbed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel over a 28 year career. On February 1, 1946 he married his sweetheart, Elaine Hood. Mr. Mitchell loved woodworking and was in fact famous for his birdhouses. He also enjoyed fishing and drawing architectural plans for homes. He served as Deacon in the Baptist Church for 40 years and taught Sunday School for many years. For 30 years he was an R.A. Leader and taught R.A. counselors for the State of Georgia. He also taught the Brotherhood of Southern Baptists.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Mitchell, son Mark Royal Mitchell, brother Verlin Mitchell and sister-in-law Georgia M. Mitchell.

Mr. Mitchell is survived by two children Gary Herbert Mitchell and Gail (Morgan) Mitchell Brooks; six grandchildren, Mitchell Brooks, Melanie B. (Craig) Kingston, Heather B. (Rob) Burson, Kelly Mitchell-Sparks (Tony), Clint (Megan) Brooks and Wade Brooks; ten great-grandchildren, Carter, Sara, Abigail, Emily, Brooks, Lauren, Annika, Caroline, Sawyer and Eli as well as niece Dianne Mitchell and three nephews, Michael Mitchell, Phillip Mitchell and Dwight (Edith) Hood.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. A funeral service will be held in Rosehaven Chapel on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Charles Gibbs and Rev. Craig Kingston officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Dan Brock, Dwight Hood, Ron Walin, Allen Bunch, Ronnie Hand, Joe Fowler and Ron Rakestraw. A graveside service will be at Westview Cemetery at 4:00 PM.