WILLIAM H. MITCHELL
Dec. 13, 1939-Aug. 7, 2009
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:1-3.
Bishop William Henry Mitchell was called to his eternal home Friday.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at NWA Tabernacle, Ten Miles Road, Trenton, with Dr. W.J. Best officiating.
He was a native of Cove City.
He was the son of the late moderator Major Henry Mitchell and Holland Brown Mitchell.
He was born Dec. 13, 1939, in Craven County.
He attended the public schools of Craven County and graduated from Newbold High School in Dover. His first years of college training were done at Mount Olive Free Will Baptist College in Mount Olive. He was a graduate of Shaw University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. He was also a graduate of Tennessee Christian University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in guidance and counseling. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Master of Divinity degree from Florida State Christian College an a Doctor of Divinity degree from the International Bible Institute and Seminary.
He received salvation at an early age and was a member of St. Edward's Free Will Baptist Church in Fort Barnwell, where he began his ministry in April 1960. He was an ordained preacher of the Northwest A Annual Conference of the United American Free Will Baptist Denomination Inc.
He was also a member of Standard Lodge 134 of Trenton.
He was pastor of many churches including St. Paul Free Will Baptist Church of Jacksonville, St. Matilda Free Will Baptist Church of Comfort, Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church of Greenville, Wood's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church of Goldsboro and St. Luke Free Will Baptist Church of LaGrange. He served as pastor of Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church of Winterville for nearly 47 years.
He was the annual bishop of the Northwest A Annual Conference of the United American Free Will Baptist Denomination Inc. and had served as bishop of the conference for the past 45 years.
He also served as vice general bishop of the United American Free Will Baptist Domination Inc. during the leadership of Bishop W.L. Jones. Following the death of Bishop Jones, he served as general bishop until the next election. He served as the second vice general bishop assistant administrator of the United American Free Will Baptist Denomination Inc.
He was a notary public and a licensed funeral director for the state of North Carolina. He owned and operated Mitchell's Funeral Homes in Greenville, Winterville, LaGrange and Richlands for nearly 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Raspberry Mitchell; seven children, eldress Valeria (Michael) Daniels, eldress Evelyn (Harold) Holmes, Mamie Mitchell, Helen Mitchell, minister William H. Mitchell Jr., Mary Patterson and Holland Nance; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.
A viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mitchell's Funeral Home, 1000 Howell St., and from 7 to 9 p.m. at Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Winterville.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23: 4-6.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 11, 2009 1:47 PM