Bobby O. Mitchell

Bobby O'Neal Mitchell, age 74, of Florence, departed this life Thursday after an extended illness.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at Elkins East Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the chapel, with the Rev. Ed Marston and Todd Nix officiating. Burial will follow in Bluewater Cemetery.

He was a lifetime resident of Lauderdale County and a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. After graduating from Lexington High School, he attended Florence State College and went on to serve his country during the Korean War.

He retired from Reynolds Alloy Division with 31 years of service. He also owned Bob's Oil Co. for 10 years and was in the rental house development business.

He loved Alabama football and was an avid golfer.

His family and friends will remember him as a dedicated, honest, hard-working man who never had enough hours in the day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy O. and Virgie King Mitchell, of Rogersville, as well as his brother, Dalton T. Mitchell, of Bonnertown.

Bob is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lois Ann Mitchell; children, Susanne Richardson, of Florence, Steve Mitchell and wife, Stacey, of Rogersville, and Don Mitchell and wife, Debbie, of Nashville; grandchildren, Chad Mitchell and wife, Olivia, Josh Hodges, Chelsie Richardson, Abby Mitchell and Mallory Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Karsyn, Makynsie, Lauren and Chase; sister, Betty Thigpen and husband, Buford, of Killen; sister-in-law, Yuvaun Mitchell, of Bonnertown; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Danny Mitchell, Randy Thigpen, Todd Nix, Carroll Mitchell, Mike Mitchell and Todd Weatherford.

Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Clement, Royce Thornton, Olan Thompson, Marvin Wilson, Paul Wilson, Billy Wallace, Owen McGee, Buford Thigpen and Lewis Kilburn.

The family would like to give special thanks to Southern Care Hospice, especially Chaplain Webster Wade, RN Susan Osborn and CNA Dorothy Phillips. You became a part of our family, and we will be forever grateful.