Richard James Mitchell

Richard James Mitchell, born September 4, 1927 in Orbisonia PA to Elmer and Agnes Mitchell, passed quietly into the Lord’s hands on September 29, 2010.

The oldest of seven (7) brothers & sisters, Richard started working at the age of 12 at a Holland VA grocery store, and then for the Joseph P Hall Drug Company in Suffolk VA. Richard dropped out of school to enlist in the Army in the closing years of WWII. After serving two years Richard retuned to school- graduating from Suffolk High in 1949. In 1950, he met Della Crutchfield- then a sophomore at Elon College and they were married in Great Bridge VA, following her graduation, in June 1952. Richard then went to work for the Norfolk News Agency. Over the next 37 years he worked as a Book and Magazine delivery driver, a Customer Service representative, the Book Department Manager, the Company’s Assistant Manager and then as the Agency’s Manager. Richard and Della moved to Aragona Village in the Mid-50’s, and joined Christ Presbyterian Church in 1960. “Dick” served as a Deacon, Clerk of the Session and as a Trustee. His hobbies included travel, driving and reading. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Paul, daughter Juanita and sister Evelyn Mobley.

Left to cherish his memory are: his wife of 58 years Della Mitchell; son David Mitchell; three sisters: Barbara Settle, Sandra Darden, and Patsy Barnes; two brothers George and Robert Mitchell; two granddaughters, Elizabeth King and Margaret Pearsall; two grandsons, Richard Mitchell and Will Mitchell; and a great-grandson, William Pearsall.

The family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 pm, Friday, October 1, 2010 at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park. Please share your love and condolences’ with the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com