Eddie Crawford Mitchell

Eddie was born to Joseph Stovall and Lois Crawford Mitchell in Danville, Virginia, on March 1, 1941. Eddie and his older brother, Joe, were orphaned when their parents died before the boys were ten years old. Eddie spent much of his early life with Aunt Lula and Uncle Gordon Smith and their sons, Jimmy and Henry in Leaksville, N.C., while his uncle Henry Mitchell acted as his guardian. Eddie attended numerous high schools including, Edwards and Randolph Macon Military Academy.

Moving to Greensboro in 1959 where he lived briefly with his brother and his wife, Eddie attended newly opened Page High School. Eddie lived on his own in several places in Greensboro, NC, holding a variety of jobs including painting the inside of the huge oil tanks that flank Interstate 40 - where he was motivated to pursue a college education. He began taking night courses at Greensboro Division of Guilford

College.

Eddie graduated with honors from East Carolina University in 1965 where he was a member of Beta Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. In 1968, he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from The Law School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was awarded The Order of the Coif and received the Excellence in Scholarship Key of The Theta Delta Phi Law Fraternity.

Thanks to the mentoring and friendship of Dewey Navey, Sr., co-owner of City Motors in Greensboro, Eddie learned the arts of negotiation and salesmanship, which would greatly enhance his practice of law.

Eddie acknowledged divine direction and care of the Lord when he gained an interview with Honorable Eugene Gordon, Chief District Court Judge for the Middle District of the United States District Court and was awarded a clerkship. Thus began Eddie's law career that spanned 50+ years. Throughout his career, Eddie was a

tireless advocate for his clients. Eddie would be among the first Certified Mediators in Forsyth County District and Superior Courts. Eddie was fair, ethical and tireless in his efforts to bring parties to a resolution of their differences.

Eddie maintained many personal and professional friendships throughout his life. He was a member of The Twenty-First Judicial District and Forsyth County Bar Associations, North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, and Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer's Association. He served as President of the Forsyth County Bar Association 1992-1993, and was chair of the local Ethics Committee. He was awarded the 2010 Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association's William L. Cofer Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his sustained efforts and dedication in the field of criminal law and received the Martindale-Hubble award "AV-Preeminent for Twenty-Five Consecutive Years Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards"

After retirement, Eddie, and Cass (his secretary, wife, and best friend) enjoyed visiting Seattle, Washington, cruising Alaska, and time at the beach with their four-legged companion Rusty, helping out with the Food Pantry at their church, Christ Church Winston-Salem and spending time with family. They were a familiar sight as they rode their bikes daily throughout the city. Eddie was an avid UNC "Tarheel" and ECU "Pirate" fan.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Cass, daughter Liz Denton (Gabriel Obando), much loved grandchildren Dylan Denton and Isabela Denton. He is also survived by his wife's sisters and families and nieces, Pattie L. Mitchell and Sherry M. Hayes (Bruce) and nephew, Joseph S. Mitchell, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues.

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at Christ Church Winston-Salem (Anglican), 2252 Queen Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with The Revd. Canon Dr. Ben Sharpe, The Revd. David George and The Revd. Chris Borah presiding. The service can be viewed via Livestream at www.christchurchws.org The family will receive friends, following the service, at Cass and Eddie's Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Winston-Salem (Anglican), 2252 Queen Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, the Children's Law Center of Center North Carolina, 102 West First Street, Suite 470, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.voglerfuneralhome.com for the Mitchell family.