Samuel M. Mitchell Sr.

Samuel M. Mitchell Sr., age 77, of Neosho, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, following an illness. Sam was born on Feb. 28, 1932, in Cassville, Mo., the son of the late Albert and Hattie (Horn) Mitchell. He served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the 865th, who guarded Kempo Air Base. He worked for Eagle Picher. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. He married Lola Alley on Feb. 5, 1957. She preceded him in death in 2000. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kim Mitchell, in 1986. He is survived by two sons, Samuel M. Mitchell Jr. and wife, Elizabeth, Joplin, and John Mitchell and wife, Robin, Neosho, Mo.; one daughter, Pam Escobar and husband, Alberto, Satellite Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Charlene Robertson, Joplin, and Ruby Long, Joplin; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Chapel. Brian Giebler, Minister, will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The pallbearers will be the grandsons, Will Jenkins, Sam Mitchell, Seth Mitchell, Ben Mitchell, Jonathan Escobar, Laban Bramlett and Logan Bramlett. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. Monday prior to services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview Baptist Church Building Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Chapel. Online condolences may be made at Masonwoodard.com