03/20/2022
Obituary for John Mitchell
March 10, 1961 I met the love of my life! I was 15, John was 17. It was a blind date arranged by our close friends. John was wearing white shirt, blue jeans, had a perfect blond crew cut, & the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. He was the coolest guy I had ever met! It was instant attraction for both of us & by the first kiss he had my heart & I had his for evermore. We dated steadily over the next 2 years. May 1963, John picked me up for my high school graduation and he gave me an engagement ring. As Mr. Mack Chandler presented my diploma he announced our engagement. September 28, 1963, we were married. John was a wonderful loving husband, showering me with love, affection, gifts & wanting me to have everything my heart desired. On January 17, 1965 he gave me the most precious gift of all, a baby daughter. She was perfect in every way, she had her daddy's beautiful blue eyes. We were a happy family, we did everything together. We played, camped, danced, traveled, made wonderful friends everywhere we went, & we made a lifetime of memories. Fast forward March 10, 2022, 61 years from the day we met John was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease this is a very rare disease only 1 case in a million diagnosed in the US. Vanderbilt told us the disease is very aggressive, it is fatal with no cure & no treatment available. My story book life was coming to an end. March 16, 2022 John moved to his eternal home to wait for me. My heart is breaking, I don't know how I can go on but I know with God's help along with the love, prayers & support of my precious family & all my many precious friends I will survive. John graduated from Parsons High School in 1963. He was a retired industrial electrician. He enjoyed music, dancing, traveling, antique cars, and cruising around in their 1957 Thunderbird.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Patricia R. Smith Mitchell; a daughter Cindy (Dan) Eason of Lexington; two grandsons, Dustin Coyne of Pinson, and Drake Eason of Lexington; two brothers, Richard T. (Carolyn) Mitchell of Somerville, and Larry T. Mitchell of Perryville, several nieces and nephews, and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard E. and Helen Long Mitchell, a brother, Howard C. Mitchell. We will have a celebration of John's amazing life Friday night March 18th from 5:00-9:00 at First United Methodist Church, Lexington in LEC (fellowship hall) entrance at back of church. Saturday March 19 visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 with service at 2:00 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. Graveside service will follow at Sardis Cemetery with Reed’s Chapel in charge of the arrangements.
