"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30.
The path of this life’s journey began with the birth of Fred Douglas Mitchell on January 23, 1932 in Rosston, Arkansas. He was the son of Alfred and Emma Wallace Mitchell.
God called him home on December 10, 2011 at Arbor Oaks Rehabilitation Center in Malvern, Arkansas.
Those awaiting his arrival and to welcome him home are his mother and father Emma and Alfred Mitchell, four brothers Leotis Mitchell Chet Mitchell, Lucius Mitchell, and Charles Mitchell, two sisters Velma Mitchell and Annie Pearl Mitchell, and one grandson Bradley Lamar Williams.
He attended Sweet Home School after moving to Waldo, Arkansas. He met Mary Sue and they were blessed with five children.
Fred and Mary Sue made many sacrifices to raise their children and support their family. He worked as a pulp wood worker until he became disabled.
Fred leaves to cherish his memory his wonderful loving soul mate of fifty-three years Mary Sue of Malvern, AR; three sons, Kenneth Lealie (Beatrice) Mitchell of Malvern, AR, Douglas (Lodi) Mitchell of Allen, TX, and Jackie Ray Newburn of Malvern, AR; four daughters, Janet (Carl) Langston, Belinda Mitchell, Karen Mitchell all of Malvern, AR, and Daphine Newburn of Allen, TX; one brother James (Joyce) Mitchell of Muskegon, MI; four sisters Sula Mae Godbol of Los Angeles, CA, Elree (Bill) Burnell of Los Angeles, CA, Pearline Jackson of Magnolia, AR, and Matilda (Tyrone) Parker of Phoenix, AZ; two sisters-in-law Billie Jean McCray of Malvern, AR, Gretle Ollison of Arkadelphia, AR; seventeen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friend.
Mr. Mitchell will lie in repose on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church - 225 Vine Street in Malvern, Arkansas. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at First Baptist Church - Vince in Malvern where Rev. Chet D. Hart is the Pastor and will deliver the message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Masonic Cemetery.
Submitted by the family.