On Thursday, January 21, 2021, John Ronald Mitchell of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and Newark, Ohio passed away at Licking Memorial Hospital in Ohio. He was 84 years young. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting him, then you will know this is true, "To know him was to love him." John was hardworking, honest, loving, funny, and smart. He was a brother and a son. He grew up in a large family. His parents, Drew Richard & Ida Mitchell as well as his siblings, Earl Mitchell, Faye Harrell, and Nancy Padgett have passed on before him. His siblings who remain and remember him fondly include Bill (Diane) Mitchell, Judy Adams, Barbara Shaw, Juanita DuRant, and Steve Mitchell, as well as many nieces and nephews. John was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was married to his first love, Catherine E. Mitchell for 43 years. Together they had two daughters, Debbie Davis and Teresa Mitchell, and from those wonderful daughters, they gained a son-in-law, Joey Davis, grandchildren, Chelsea (Thomas) Jernigan, Cameron (Taylor) Davis, & Morgan Powell, as well as three great grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Silas & Anderson Jernigan and Sawyer Davis. He was devoted to Catherine until her passing, and loved her greatly until the day he died. He went on to marry Anna Karns Mitchell and gained a bonus family in love that included sons and daughters, Kelly Wallace, Jody (Robb) Coventry, Scott (Kellie) Karns, and Eric (Jeanine) Karns, as well as seven grandchildren, Kelsey Hill, Dillon & Nicole Coventry, Addy & Paisley Karns, and William & Reagan Karns. He was a beloved PopPop to every single grandchild and great grandchild, and a wonderful husband to his dear wife of 17 years, Anna, who survives him. John loved his country and served in the army during the Korean War. After his service, he worked hard until his retirement from Newport News Shipyard as well as the United States Post Office in Windsor, Virginia. His goal for retirement was to travel, and that he did. He saw every single one of the fifty United States and thoroughly enjoyed being on the road. Despite his travels, he never did see a moose in real life, so as far as we know, "a moose is a myth!" He loved Pepsi Cola more than the average person and considered Coke an insult. You could often find him at an auction or, if he couldn't be there in person, he'd be browsing online. He was kind and considerate and he loved the Lord. He was sugar and spice; pure love with a solid dash of mischief for good measure. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, because "to know him was to love him," and he was so very well loved. The family will have private arrangements for his service.

Little's Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Smithfield, Virginia is handling arrangements.