Reginald Earl Mitchell

NORTHPORT - Reginald Earl Mitchell passed away on August 26, 2019 at West Alabama Hospice in Tuscaloosa, at the age of 77. Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, September 1, 2019, 2 p.m. at Five Points Baptist Church, Northport with Rev. Billy Gray and Rev. Paul Wilson officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be Saturday, August 31, 2019, from 5:00 to 8 p.m. at the church.

He was preceded in death by his parents Victor F. and R. Estelle Mitchell, brothers William, Maxie, Alfred and Moody; sisters, Elleen Mitchell Holcomb, Sara Mitchell Moss; sisters-in-law, Gwen Mitchell and Dixie Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife, Kaye Eidson Mitchell; daughter, Renae Mitchell Wilson (Mark) of Jasper; sons, Reginald Earl Mitchell, II (Kathryn) of Homewood, Mike Eidson (Jaena); five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be George Taylor, David Barkley, Mike Fields, Jimmy Baker, Koven Brown, Joe Eidson, Gene Holcomb and Pat Roberts.

Earl retired from Sunset Funeral Home after 57 years of service to the citizens of West Alabama.

The youngest of seven children of Victor and Estelle Mitchell, Earl was born on July 16, 1942. He lived most of his life in Northport, having been born on Tanyard Street, where he learned at a young age the value of hard work and giving of oneself in service to others.

Earl graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1960. He also attended the University of Alabama. As an active member of the TCHS Alumni Association, serving as president in 2012-13. In 2014 he was presented the Top Cat Award as the TCHS Alumnus of the Year.

He began a 57-year career in the funeral industry with Spigner-Brown Funeral Services. He was part-owner of Sunset Funeral Home and later sold the business to Service Corporation International.

Earl’s political interests date back to 1972 when he served as assistant coroner to Dr. Earl Glenn. In 1974 he was elected Tuscaloosa County Coroner. The Alabama House of Representatives was Earl’s next step in public service, elected in 1978 to represent the citizens of Northport and portions of Tuscaloosa and Pickens Counties. While in the Legislature, Earl served on several committees including Ways and Means. He also initiated the Shroud Award – recognition given annually to the legislator who sponsored the “deadest” piece of legislation. He was bestowed the award in 1983.

Choosing not to seek re-election, Earl continued his legislative involvement through his profession by orchestrating pre-need funeral legislation that protects the public’s pre-need investment when making funeral arrangements.

Throughout his career, Earl maintained active membership in the Alabama Funeral Directors Association, serving every office and president in 1990. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association serving in various positions. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Cemetery Association, Earl was recognized as the Member of the Year in 2000.

As an active member of the business community, Earl served as president of the Northport Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as the Chairman of the Legislative Council. Earl was selected as Northport’s Citizen of the Year in 2013 and was proud that his mother was also selected as Northport’s Citizen of the Year in 1978. He served on the Northport Historical Shirley Place Board of Directors.

Earl was an active member of the Tuscaloosa Jaycees for 17 years, having served as the Executive Director of the West Alabama State Fair. His numerous awards included JCI Senator, Jaycee of the Year, and the Alabama Jaycees Ryan DeGraffenried Award.

Five Points Baptist Church played a major role in Earl’s life. His mother was a charter member while his father was leader of the Royal Ambassadors program. Earl often recalled memorable events as a child and youth led by his father. He continued his parent’s legacy at Five Points with his leadership roles with the youth department, chairman of deacons, chairman of the personnel committee and church trustee. One of his greatest joys was seeing how the church has grown from the original seven charter members and small block building, to the expanded facilities and large membership today.

Earl was very involved in the lives of his children and their activities including Little League Baseball at Kentuck Park, Tuscaloosa County High School sports activities, PTA organizations and Boy Scouts of America. For many years he served as chairman of the Eagle Scout Board of Review - Black Warrior Council. He was presented an Honorary Eagle Award, in 1977, by the Choctaw District of the Black Warrior Council.

Kaye was the love of Earl’s life for 56 years. The old saying “behind every successful man is a great woman,” has never been truer for her. Kaye not only served her husband and family, she has continually given of herself to this community and church. She was by his side through the good times and bad, yet never wavered from their loving vows.

While Earl was honored for his many accomplishments, he often said that the greatest joy in his life were his three children, Renae, Mike, Reggie and his five grandchildren Harris (27), Anna (19), Abbie (19), Walker (16) and Julia (14).

Honorary pallbearers are Donna Lavender McGee; Yoko Spencer; Mary Jo Looser; Mary and Rusty Norwood; Rick and Liza Looser; Dr. Melanie Looser Miller; Judy Baker; Roy and Shirley Brown; Jerry and Judy Robinson; Jimmy and Elaine Moore; John and Ashley Halsey; Mike Weeks; Donna Norwood; Sherrill and Linda Kirk; Terrell Rogers; Jason Wyatt; Paul Sager; Mandee Brown; Mary Terry; Cecil Barkley; Bo and Barbara Porter; Jay, Bobby, and Tommy Roberts; Jay Reynolds; Juanita and Hardy McCollum; John and Shirley Lollar; Bruce Davis; Jimmy and Margaret Lunceford; Ashley Fincher; Derek Jones; Jordan Courington; Dr. Phillip and Beth Bobo, and EmergiCare; The Parsons Firm; Tuscaloosa County Bar Association; Cathy and Doug Holder and staff of New Creations Salon; Dr. William Hill and staff; Dr. Garfield Ramdean, Dr. Dirk Berry, Rikita Beams and staff of Tuscaloosa Nephrology; Dr. Arash Arabi and Sarah Smith; Regina Fray, Cherie Sloan on 4-West of DCH Regional Medical Center; Members and Staff of Five Points Baptist Church – the Ted Stephens and Grace Sunday School Classes; Friends and Neighbors of Shirley Farms; Members of The Tuscaloosa County High School Classes of 1960, 1982 and 1987, Tuscaloosa Jaycees and Jayceettes, Exhausted Roosters, Alabama Legislature from 1978 to 1986, Alabama Funeral Directors Association, Alabama Cemetery Association, Volunteers of DCH – Northport; employees of Sunset Funeral Home, Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, Memory Chapel Funeral Home and Memory Hill Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the R. Earl Mitchell Memorial Endowed Scholarship with the National Alumni Association at The University of Alabama. Mail to National Alumni Association, Attn: Scholarship Dept., PO Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486.

Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetbrown-funeral.com