Milton William Mitchell

Milton William “Mitch” Mitchell of 3574 Irisburg Road, Axton, Va. passed away peacefully on February 9, 2014 at Emeritus Senior Living, Danville, VA. Mr. Mitchell was born Feb. 8, 1927 in Salisbury, MD to Holland M. Mitchell and Ida Davenport Mitchell and grew up in Delmar, DE. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife of 36 years, Alycann Harkins Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell graduated high school early to enlist in the Navy in March , 1944. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII with the 90th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) . Under the GI Bill he attended classes at night at Goldy Beacom College where he studied accounting and Rutger’s University in Wilimington where he studied finance while working during the day at Wilmington Trust Bank and Chrylser Corp. In the late 1960’s Mr. Mitchell began his career in the newspaper business overseeing the advertising departments of newspapers owned by Coastal Communications, which was eventually purchased by Atlantic Publications. After a brief retirement in 1990, he was convinced “to help out a few months” for another newspaper chain, Chesapeake Publishing Corporation. A few months became 11 years during which Mr. Mitchell developed an account territory of 4-5 accounts to one of over 200. Even into retirement Mr. Mitchell’s work ethic continued. At age 80 he was honored as “District Volunteer of the Year” by the staff of the Army Corp of Engineers for providing over 600 hours of volunteer service for Philpott Lake’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Mr. Mitchell will be remembered for his sense of humor, intellect, pleasant demeanor and his commitment to community service. He loved music, singing, fishing, tending his garden, and getting away with “tall tales” and practical jokes. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Linda Reynolds Easley Mitchell of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy M. Phillips (David) of Salisbury, MD; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen M. Wootten (Edsel) Laurel, DE; son, William Mitchell, Newark, DE; daughter and son-in-law, Margaret M. Elswick (Glenn), Delmar, DE; daughter and son-in-law, Holly Mitchell-Spahn (Lou), Redding, CA; daughter, Laura Mitchell, Winston-Salem, NC; step-daughter, Ruth Easley, Martinsville, VA; step-son and daughter-in-law, Duke Easley (Debra), Martinsville, VA; sister, Frances Fisher, Seaford, DE; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda Morris (Brice), Federalsburg, MD; 15 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. A service of remembrance will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Edwards Adult Day Care Center, 431 Commonwealth Blvd. Martinsville, VA 24112; St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2481 Spruce St., Martinsville, VA 24112; SPCA of M-HC, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy., Martinsville, VA 24112. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the excellent care provided by Edwards Adult Day Care, Kings Grant Health Care, Emeritus Senior Living Center, Dr. W. Ben Lewis, and the doctors and staff at Danville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville. To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.