Robert Elijah Mitchell

Robert Elijah Mitchell, known to family and friends as "Bobby", was born Feb. 20, 1931 in Polk County, Ark. to Rev. Marvin M. Mitchell and Bessie J. (Stuart) Mitchell, a hard-working farm family who raised cotton and corn. While still a small child, the family moved to the Oakland Hill community near Bradford, where he attended school from first through ninth grades. The family then moved to near Garner, where he finished high school, graduating April 28, 1949. Bobby enlisted in the Army in Nov. 1949. After a few months of training, the war in Korea escalated and he was sent overseas to the battle front, where he became missing in action on Sept. 6, 1950. He left behind his parents; six brothers: Bill, Charley, Sam, Joe, Edward, Edwin; one foster brother, Paul Latourrette; three sisters: Bessie Black, Katie Brown, all who have since passed on, and Beth Mitchell Mason Adams, who survives along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Robert was well-known, well-liked, friendly, warm and outgoing. He was a Christian and faithfully attended church. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, (Robert's 85th birthday) at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Veterans Section. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, a Certified Veterans Funeral Care Provider. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.