Lloyd E Mitchell

IN REMEMBRANCE OF



Lloyd E. Mitchell

SEPTEMBER 26, 1939 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Lloyd Eugene Mitchell, of Elkins Park, PA, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 20, 2025, after a long battle with cancer that he faced with courage and grace.

Lloyd spoke the many languages of life. Born September 26, 1939, in Petersburg, VA, the eldest of three sons of Corrine Howard Mitchell, a teacher and an artist, and William Mitchell, an accountant and traveling salesman, he learned early to speak in numbers in the one-room schoolhouse where his mother taught.

His work ethic and love for learning (and just plain smarts) led to an early graduation from Petersburg, VA High School at the age of 15. His parents (wisely) decided that was too young for college so off he went to a college preparatory school - Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH), a prominent boarding school in Massachusetts, graduating in 1957. Thereafter, he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania ('61), where he met his loving wife of 62 years. His love of numbers and computers led to the University of Michigan where he earned a master's in computer sciences ('66). He learned the language of advanced numbers, solving complicated problems and learning code at the dawn of the digital age.

Throughout his life Lloyd spoke the language of music, starting a jazz band at NMH and playing trumpet in the marching band at the Penn. He spoke the language of water, diving into deep pools as the first African American diver on Penn's swimming team and working as a lifeguard during summers in Philadelphia - swimming in areas where he was often the only person of color.

Lloyd was fluent in German, for him just another type of code, appreciating how each word could be an entire sentence. This led him to work for Mobil Oil Corporation's International Division first in Hamburg, Germany, then London, New York City, and finally Accra, Ghana as a consultant in mini-computer strategic planning. After a stint at Unisys, he went on to work at SAP America - joining when they employed just 10 people and then moving into management as the company rapidly expanded. He became the Director of Consulting for Northeast leading a staff of more than 240 people. His team-based, no-frills, no drama management approach and respectful honesty earned him a legendary reputation as an outstanding leader.

Lloyd spoke the language of commitment. He was a longtime, active participant of both the Alumni Association and the Alumni of Color at Northfield Mount Hermon. He received an Alumni Citation which honors alumni who have demonstrated continuous support and service to the school.

Above all, Lloyd's greatest language was love, dignity, and grace. He spoke quietly, encouraging people to listen. He spoke consistently with his quiet presence. He gracefully and with dignity expressed his deep belief in civil rights. He loved to mentor younger professionals, many of whom credited him with helping them establish and advance their careers with his insightful advice and support.

He loved his wife Sarah and the extended family of strong-willed women he unwittingly married into. He was a pioneer who embraced and loved multigenerational living in "The Big House" in Mt. Airy, PA, with an extended, four generation family that included his wife, three children, three sisters-in-law, mother-in-law and one very large dog. Having learned well from his own parents and their many siblings, he was undaunted by the presence of so many strong women.

Lloyd's love of traveling and exploring the world with his wife and family included living abroad and traveling in Europe, Asia and Africa (on safari), experiencing the wonders of the Americas and Canada, and cruising oceans near and far. He loved his children, whom he taught to live well, and his grandchildren of whom he took a million pictures. And not to be forgotten was his love of golf - his last words being that he regretted not golfing under a score of 90.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Charles of Washington D.C. He is survived by his wife Sarah Wiggins Mitchell; daughters Keira Jaha and Djenaba Joseph (Shawn); son Colin Mitchell (Charmayne); grandchildren Sakile Shaw (Stan), Danica Joseph, Shaela Joseph, and Colin (Collie) Mitchell; brother William Mitchell (Martha); and many, many sisters-in-law, cousins and other extended family.

Lloyd will be deeply missed by his family and friends. We will miss his unwavering love and support for family, his unending patience and calmness, his sense of humor, and his enduring love of sweets. Most of all we will miss having him in our lives. He speaks a new language now, in another place, and we are listening.

A Celebration of Lloyd's life will be held at a future date. Expression of sympathy and condolences may be addressed to Sarah W. Mitchell, 312 Linden Drive, Elkins Park, PA 19027. Donations in his name can be made to Northfield Mount Hermon, American Cancer Society, and The United Negro College Fund.