Arthur James Mitchell Sr. was born on Sept. 14, 1948 to Carl and Beatrice Richo Mitchell of Woodbine.
He was educated in the public schools of Camden County as well as attending a year in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated as the valedictorian from the Ralph J. Bunche Training School Class of 1966. While attending there he was also nominated the class president. “Mitch,” as he was affectionately known, played for the Ralph J. Bunch football and basketball teams as well as member of the track and field team. At a young age he was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church by Rev. Sanders.
After graduating from high school Arthur joined the United States Air Force where he served an approximately four-year term. Arthur also attended Morehouse College of Atlanta and after which he enlisted into the Air National Guard Reserve, where he would serve for many years before retiring. He later became a member of the United States Postal Service where he would retire after nearly 32 years.
Arthur resided in College Park for more than 50 years. He attended Woods Memorial Baptist in College Park and also faithfully attended Fountain of Faith M.B. Church of Riverdale. Arthur served two terms as the president of the R.J. Bunch Alumni of which he pridefully enjoyed. He loved and enjoyed traveling and never missed attending the family reunion in Supply, North Carolina, where he also participated in the annual planning and preparations. He was a very active member of the Jerome Butler-Francis American Legion Post 291 of Atlanta for many years.
Arthur was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Carlton Mitchell and Charles Mitchell; sisters, Cheryl Mitchell and Laura Mitchell Young; and daughters, Kathy Mitchell and Audrey Mitchell.
Left to cherish and treasure his memories are his son, Arthur James Mitchell Jr.; daughters, Rachel Taylor and Sonya B. Walker (Floyd); grandchildren, Brianna Gadson, Adarius Jones (Alex), Ahmad Taylor, Arthur (Trey) III, Kevin, Kevon, Kaven and Kyvan Walker; great-grands, Kevon Jr., Jamison, Jaila and JaCoby, Adarius Jr., Lea'nah and Jamario and Noah; his sister, Louise Mitchell; sister-in-law, Ruby L. Mitchell; nieces, Beatrice Denise Kirkland (Wiliam), Rashida Senior (Demetrius), Erin Martin (Kevin), Carleesa Mahoney and Samantha Mitchell; nephews, Robert Young (Toya), Mark, Carl and Cory Mitchell; God daughters, Iris Cash, Sylvia Scott and DaNarsha Robinson. Arthur was loved by many and will be missed by a huge host of other family and dear friends including a very special and devoted friend and companion, Nadine Nance of Fayetteville, who feels blessed to have had the chance to share in a part of Mitch's life and he in hers. They shared a special love for each other, a great joy in worshipping together and most of all a love in traveling to many, many places.
A walk-thru viewing will be held 3-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26 at Allison Memorial Chapel, 10141 Colerain Road, St. Marys, GA 31558.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at Benton Cemetery, Springhill Road, Waverly.
The graveside service will be live streamed for those unable to attend at the website, royalfuneralhomeinc.com.
Those planning to attend are asked to wear a mask to help in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Royal Funeral Home, Inc., Jesup.