Calvin Mitchell

Calvin Mitchell, age 81 of Searcy, died Thursday, January 30, 2014 in Searcy. He was born February 3, 1932 at Black Oak, Arkansas to Elmer Mitchell and Myrtle Penter Mitchell. He was a member of College Church of Christ and owner of Calvin Mitchell Leather Company. Calvin Mitchell spent every day of his life focused on his love of God, family and his country. As a sailor, businessman, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, church leader and elected official, he made it clear through his actions and words that no goal was too ambitious for anyone that's willing to pray, work hard and treat others with love and respect. Calvin and Joyce married in 1952 and embarked upon a lifelong voyage together. That voyage took them to St. Louis from 1958-1981, where they raised three daughters, Vicki, Nan and Julie, while Calvin served as an executive at Prince Gardner and as an elder at Glendale (later McKnight Road) church of Christ. In the early 80's, Calvin and Joyce decided to start the Calvin Mitchell Leather Company in Arkansas, which they ran together as a family business until their retirement. In his "spare time," Calvin again answered the call to public service as an Alderman in Searcy for 14 years. In that role, Calvin brought his experience as a business owner to the decision-making process of local government. His love for Joyce and his daughters only grew as those daughters married and added grandchildren to the family. Each grandchild and great-grandchild has countless fond stories of visits with Papa and Grandma and their kindness and tenderness. Calvin was a larger than life figure that will be missed by everyone that knew him. A towering, handsome man that never met a stranger, he delighted in making jokes at his own expense just to see the laughter of others. His family is confident that he is now busy chatting up his new neighbors and asking how he can help make things better in his new home as he prepares for our eventual family reunion there. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Gibson Mitchell; three daughters, Vicki Mitchell of Searcy, Nanette Mitchell Lynn and husband Andy of Germantown, Tennessee, Julie Mitchell Wolfe and husband Chris of Searcy; seven grandchildren, Todd Mitchell and wife Kelly of St. Louis, Traci Smith of Little Rock, Mary Margaret Lynn Fish and husband Seth of Mito, Japan, Emily Lynn Wickliff and husband Daniel of Memphis, Madison Wolfe of Searcy, Jake Wolfe of Searcy, Luke Wolfe of Searcy; one great-granddaughter, Zoe Smith of Little Rock; two brothers, Wayne Mitchell and wife Catherine of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Larry Mitchell and wife Debbie of Booneville, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Myrtle Mitchell; and one sister, Norma Dacus. Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be Monday at 3 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.