John T. Mitchell

MITCHELL, John Thomas, “Tiger Tom” 100, passed away peacefully in his home July 10, 2017, surrounded by his loving family and caretakers. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Sheryl L. Thomas; siblings, Chippie, Becky, Lilian, Billy, Sil, Mickey, Peggy, and Jackie; parents, Roscoe and Lilian. He leaves to cherish his special memories with wife of 57 years Elizabeth “Bette” Mitchell; daughter, Ida Aleas Mitchell; sons, Cary (Vanessa), John (Shuron); granddaughters, Mia E Thomas, Chevonne Booker; grandson, James Booker, Jr; three great-grandchildren; brother-in-law’s Calvin “Ghost” Smith and Carl M Spencer; mother-in-law, Ida L Cheatham and a host a of loving nieces and nephews. Tom was a proud graduate and valedictorian of the Armstrong High School class of 1935 and later attended Virginia Union University. Alongside, his father Roscoe and great-uncle John Mitchell Jr, he learned to operate a printing press for The Richmond Planet and St. Luke Herald. He loved his family, journalism, and hometown of Richmond. He wrote for The Richmond Afro Newspaper and was the voice of the Armstrong- Walker Classic football games. He was a longtime disc jockey for Richmond’s WANT Radio where he gained the name “Tiger Tom” and known for his unwavering effort to produce excellent news coverage to the Richmond African American community. A service of remembrance will be held 12 pm, Saturday, August 19th at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Rd. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to John Thomas “Tiger Tom” Mitchell, PO Box 7080, Richmond, VA 23221.