Cherry Mitchell

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, William Richard "Rick" Mitchell and her brothers, Milton Call Smith and Dr. Clayton B Smith, Jr.

She enjoyed a long and successful career in real estate with Fonville Morisey in Cary, NC. Upon retirement, she and Rick moved to Wilmington, NC where they embraced life near the beach and the community they came to love. She was devoted member of First Baptist Church and was very active in the life of the church.

She was happiest when she was surrounded by the people she loved, especially her family and grandchildren. She had a gift for making others feel special and cared for and was always willing to go out of her way for someone she loved. She was the person you could turn to for the best advice, a helping hand, or simply someone to be there.

She loved cooking for others and had an incredible ability to make something out of nothing, whether it was a meal, a project, or an idea. She enjoyed gardening, organizing and searching for treasures at yard sales.

Some of her favorite times were spent at Caswell Beach, walking the shore looking for shells and sand dollars, visiting her bird aquarium, and simply being near the ocean. She loved traveling, attending church and lunch with friends, and staying active with water aerobics at the YMCA. She also had a special appreciation for Korean culture and music, especially BTS. Above all, she loved being with her family and grandchildren, caring for the people around her, and making ordinary moments feel special.

She is survived by her daughters: Elisabeth Sledge Woodard and husband Todd and Holly Mitchell Joyce and husband Jeffrey; son Benjamin Forrest Mitchell and ten grandchildren: Katharine Woodard Davis, Todd Gregory Woodard Jr., Caroline Gardner Woodard, Sarah Elisabeth Woodard, Rachael Call Woodard, Brinkley June Mitchell, Graylin Bell Mitchell, Elaina Forrest Mitchell, Clayton William Joyce and Mitchell Jeffrey Joyce and her sister in laws: Doodle Myers Smith and Jenene Curtis Smith.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Coble Funeral & Cremation Service, 1155 Shipyard Blvd. Wilmington, NC with a catered luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

https://lifecare.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate/