David Ralph Mitchell

Mr. Mitchell was born on March 9, 1932, in Water Valley, MS to Fleck and Ann Mitchell. He lived his entire childhood there and graduated from Water Valley High School. After high school he joined the United States Air Force where he served as a mechanic during the Korean War. He returned home and attended college at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Education.

He began his teaching and coaching career in 1959 at Byhalia High School. He also taught and coached football and other sports at Ackerman (1961-1962), Walnut (1963), Baldwyn (1964-1966), and Pontotoc (1967-1972). He later obtained a Master’s Degree and Specialist in Education Administration and served as a principal in the Pontotoc City School System for many years. After retiring from education, Mr. Mitchell worked for Stegall Ford in Pontotoc.

He married Rose Swann Mitchell in 1960 and was married to her for 50 plus years until her death in 2012. He married Virginia Trenor in 2014 and remained married until his death.

Mr. Mitchell accepted Christ as his Savior and served Him faithfully until his death. He was a member of West Heights Baptist Church for 60 plus years where he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a deacon and served on numerous committees. His faith was strong and he was known to ask anyone he met “if they knew Jesus”. He enjoyed raising beagles and was a long time member of the Chickasaw Field Trial Club. He loves tinkering on cars and trucks and enjoyed gardening. He was an avid Ole Miss fan. His life revolved around his church and his family. He rarely missed a football game or event that his children or grandchildren had and was extremely proud of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Rose Swann Mitchell; and his sister, Clara Sue Ashford.

He leaves behind his wife, Virginia Trenor Mitchell; his sons, David Mitchell (Theresa) of Cabot, Arkansas and Jamie Mitchell (Ginger) of Northport, AL; his wife’s children, Tammy Watson (Tony), Teresa Spencer (Jack), and Tiffany Pruitt (Lamar); his grandchildren, Jill Patrick (Jeff), Maggie Grissom (Jeff), Luke Mitchell (Anita), Noah Mitchell (Sarah), Dillon Mitchell (Regan), Alli Repult (Cosby), Ben Watson (Destaniee), Trey Spencer (Kelle), Justin Pruitt (Hannah), Brett Spencer (Leslie), and Jake Watson; his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Milo, Owen, and Rhett Caroline Grissom, Vivian Rose Mitchell, Remi Raye Mitchell, JD, Case, Reidie Spencer, Maggie Spencer, Paisley Pruitt, and Tommy Watson; and his sister, Jeri Cardwell (Ross).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at West Heights Baptist Church at 4:00 P.M. followed by graveside services at West Heights Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M until 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at West Heights Baptist Church. Browning Funeral Home is honored to assist with the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Phil Lee, Tommy Morton, Bobby Foreman, Carroll Kyle, Kevin Wallace, Bill Ard, and Bobby Caples.