Phillip "Dean" Mitchell

Phillip "Dean" Mitchell 60, longtime resident of Charlotte, NC, born in Asheville, NC, lost his valiant battle with Leukemia on Friday, May 20, 2022. He is survived by his loving mother, Wilma J. Mitchell and devoted wife of 18 years, Christine B. Mitchell of Charlotte, and extended family members, the Rogers', Church's, Flockton's, and the Bley's. While he was an only child, Dean spent his life building close relationships to many brothers, sisters, and parents that made him a part of their families. He would want to acknowledge the Prendergast's, Derby's, Nelson's, Earley's, Guin's, Funderburk's, Freeman's and the Huffman's. He may have started his life as an only child, but in the end, he had more family than he could count. He loved and cherished them one and all.

Dean attended high school at Catholic and Myers Park High schools in Charlotte and attended Central Piedmont Community College. He loved food, cooking it and eating it. He also loved animals, music, art, cars, engines, making jewelry, and bowling. Dean’s love of animals started at his grandparent's farm in Spring City, TN. That's where he learned to work in the fields and tend to the livestock in the summers when school was out. He was a jack of many trades and master of none. He took jobs that widened his interests rather than his career. As a young man, he worked at a record store, service station, car dealership and a dental lab. Dean painted, wallpapered, built decks, did small engine repair, landscaping, and even some plumbing. All to expand his love of fixing things, making things, and helping others.

Dean was an avid bowler for 30 years with the oldest men's league in Charlotte, NC, the Les Weller Piedmont Men's league. He made many lifelong friends at Park Lanes on Thursday nights.

He used all the skills he learned over the years to help people in his life. Dean lived every day to do good for others whenever called upon, and if no one called, he helped strangers anytime he saw a need. He rescued stray animals and people too. He never let a stray go without a meal or a place to stay. He also saved lives and never wanted recognition. Dean would want everyone reading this to try to live your lives with peace and love in your heart and always try to help others.

Dean was a true Tennessee Volunteer at heart.

A visitation for Dean will be held Wednesday, May 25th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service, 4601 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society www.LLS.org.

A celebration of life service will be held 7:00 pm Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Woodlawn Community Fellowship Sanctuary, 737 E Woodlawn Rd., Charlotte, NC.

The family respectfully ask attendees wear a mask to protect themselves and others while indoors.

Condolences may be submitted at www.forestlawnwest.com