Edward Mitchell

Anyone lucky enough to have known Ed Mitchell will agree. There went a lovely man – friendly, curious, devoted to his family, determined to sustain relationships whether it was the men at his Monday morning breakfast or the Faith Communicators at whose meetings he was a fixture.

Longtime Charlottean Edward H. Mitchell Jr. was 84 when he died on January 19, 2026, after an extended illness. His legacy is marked by that twinkle in his eye and smile on his face.

Ed was born on January 14, 1942, in Wayne County in eastern North Carolina, son of Edward and Mary Tilton Mitchell. He graduated from New Bern High School, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1964 from East Carolina University. He belonged to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He went to work as a computer analyst for Honeywell, which transferred him to Charlotte. What a move that turned out to be. He was working in Charlotte when he met the former Linda Janiak. They were married on February 3, 1973, spending nearly 53 years raising two daughters, serving their church, Carmel Presbyterian, and making a happy home and life.

Ed spent 25 years at Honeywell, did consulting work and ended his career of more than 40 years at Springs Industries in Fort Mill, S.C. He also served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, with whom he spent his final years at the Windsor Run senior living community in Matthews, N.C.; two daughters – Elizabeth Frances Mitchell and Jessica Anne Mitchell, both of Charlotte; two brothers – Douglas Mitchell (Becky) of New Bern and Mark Mitchell (Mindy) of Eugene, Ore.; one sister – Martha Mitchell Perry of New Bern; and several nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Ed's life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 1, at Carmel Presbyterian Church, 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte. A reception follows at the church.

Rather than flowers, a donation in Ed's memory can be made to VIA Health Partners (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region) at www.viagiving.org/donating or 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28226 or Carmel Presbyterian Church (www.carmellife.org), 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28226.

The family is grateful for the care and kindness shown by the Windsor Run Continuing Care staff and the VIA Hospice team.

Ed filled his life with the things that truly matter.

He loved his family and showed it by his presence – coaching the girls' sports teams, cheering them on at swim meets, attending school events. The Mitchells were active at Carmel Presbyterian, where Ed wrote and produced the church newsletter. He rarely missed those Faith Communicators meetings, where he made friends and picked up tips. He was often the first one there, with a smile and notepad.

He cheered on Duke basketball, listened to country music and helped with minor house repairs. Anything Linda or their girls needed became a labor of love.

At his passing the world became a little colder.

Heritage Funeral Home Weddington Chapel is taking care of the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.heritagecares.com