Ray D. Mitchell

Ray D. Mitchell, died February 25, 2022. Ray was born on April 10, 1939, in Corbin, Kentucky. He was a resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Naples, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 61 years of marriage, Linda Kay (nee Lindsey) Mitchell, daughter, Yvonne Rex (Kevin), son John Mitchell (Michelle) both from Murfreesboro, grandchildren Amanda Rex, Murfreesboro, Brian Rex, Cody Rex, both from South Bend, Indiana, Kyle Mitchell (Abigail) from Jacksonville, Florida, Marley Mitchell, Carson Mitchell, Riley Mitchell, and great-grandchildren Oliver Rex, Alyssa Rex, Aidyn Rawlins, Benson Rawlins, Price Mitchell, and Jude Mitchell.

Ray is also survived by six brothers, Bob Mitchell, Willard Mitchell (Judy), Murrell Mitchell Jr. (Pat), Carson Mitchell (Linda), Nile Mitchell (Kyle), and Mike Mitchell (Elisha) all from Corbin, Kentucky. He is also survived by uncles Bill Mitchell, Williamsburg, Kentucky, Dell Sams (Donna), Corbin, Kentucky, and one aunt, Louise (nee Sams), Wilhoit (Ted), and brother-in-law, Terry Lindsey (Linda) of Holiday, Florida and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Theo Murrell Mitchell, mother, Opal (nee Sams) Mitchell, sister Nancy Jackson Smith, and sister-in-law, Nancy Mitchell.

Ray accepted Christ as a child and was baptisted at East Corbin Baptist Church. Ray graduated in 1958 from Lynn Camp High School in Corbin and was captain of the football team and eventually inducted into his high school football hall of fame. After graduating, Ray moved to Gary, Indiana with his uncle Dorlyn to look for work. There he met the love of his life, Linda Kay Lindsey. They were married in 1960 and have celebrated 61 years of marriage. Ray got a job as a steelworker at Youngstown Steel in East Chicago, Indiana, and worked there 42 years until he retired. As a steelworker, Ray was on the Board of Directors for LTV Credit Union and served in several positions as a union representative including a Griever, Assistant to the Chairman of the Griever, ran for Local 1011 Union President, Chairman of the Safety Committee. While serving as Chairman, Ray won the National Safety Conference Award for his program called, Shrink the Iceberg, which gave the common ground for Labor and Management to work to together for safety.

Ray retired on October 31, 2000, and moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Ray was always active and enjoyed many activities including sports. After retirement he enjoyed playing tennis, but he found his passion was golf. Something he was very proud of was golfing in a league in Murfreesboro and hitting a hole in one! Ray and Linda began to snowbird to Florida in order to stay active and bought property in Enchanting Shores Co-op and have been active in that community for 20 years. While there, Ray has enjoyed biking, walking on the beach, tennis, golfing, acting, and singing karaoke. He was active until the very end.

Ray made friends in every community where he lived and was loved and highly respected by all. He loved his family deeply and selflessly. He was so proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren, and was always willing to brag about something they were doing. He was a light to all his family and friends and will be missed dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Services to celebrate Mr. Mitchell will be at Three O’clock the afternoon of Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Roselawn Funeral Home. Friends are cordially invited to visitation also on Saturday afternoon from One O’clock till the service begins at Three O’clock. We will "Live Stream" the service on our Facebook page, Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, Murfreesboro, TN.