Obituary of Julius Samuel Mitchell

Julius Samuel “Mitch” Mitchell, 89, of Pell City passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 13, 2013, to rejoin his wife of 53 years, Lee Cleveland Mitchell who passed in 1999. Mitch was born on April 24, 1924 to S.M. “Sam” Mitchell and Lucy Annie Winslett Mitchell in Talladega, Alabama. He is survived by his children, Fraunda Mitchell Grant (Bob) Jackson (Jimmy) of Pell City, Carmen Jane Mitchell of Calera, Marvin Samuel Mitchell (Melanie) of Millen, Georgia, and Paul Julius Mitchell of Cropwell; by his grandchildren, Mitchell Neal Stephens (Allison) of Homewood, Noah Samuel Mitchell of Maylene, Bradley Elizabeth Brown of Pell City, and Samantha Mitchell Garrison (Geordy) of Birmingham; by two great-grandchildren Niely and Jake Stephens; by his sisters, Margaret Mitchell Brown Hurst of Lincoln and Wilma Mitchell Wright of Birmingport, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Mitch was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Lucy Mitchell; by sisters Clara, Leona (Morris) Hall, Onzell (Howard) Germany, Mary Parrot Polk (R.C.) all of Talladega County, by his brothers, Milton (Ada) Mitchell, and H.M. (Mary Jo) Mitchell. Mitch and Lee led a life devoted to their children, family and their community, and their country. Mitch was a WWII Veteran serving as a member of General Chase’s personal staff in the Phillipines and Japan. He was honored to have been a part of the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2012 to see the WWII Memorial. Mitch and Lee’s memory always invokes memories of community and political activisms. Mitch was a former President of United Mine Workers, Gadsden Chapter. After moving to Birmingham, he was a member of Teamsters Local 612 until his retirement from American Freight Systems. He then served as President of the Teamster Retirees until 2011. He and Lee were instrumental in organizing, along with Dr. and Mrs. Rainwater, the St. Clair County Chapter of P.A.L.S. He was a lifelong Democrat and worked tirelessly for local and state candidates. Mitch was a member of the Ben M. Jacobs Lodge in Pell City. He was also a member of York Rite and Scottish Rite, Zamora Shrine Temple where he served as Captain of the Arab Patrol. He was a member and Past President of Dixie Shrine Club in Pell City. He was also a member of St. Clair Chapter 437 of the Eastern Star. Mitch was a much-loved man who was always able to bring sunshine into the lives of those who knew him. He blessed and was blessed with the most infectious laugh and personality. He and Lee were great lovers of the outdoors and enjoyed fishing for bass and stripe on Logan Martin Lake. He raised Belgian horses and enjoyed farming the old-fashioned way – with a two and three hitch of his Belgians. He took them to Waldo for the Sorghum Festival at the Old Mill several times. He was well able to do the Syrup making because his father, Sam, made syrup when Mitch was growing up. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 17, 2014 at Usrey Funeral Home, Pell City with the Rev. Ragan Boling officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5-8 P.M. at the funeral home. The family respectfully requests no flowers and asks that donations be made to the Zamora Shrine Transporation Fund. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.