Joseph Maurice Mitchell Jr.

Joseph Maurice Mitchell Jr., age 65, entered into eternal rest at 6:10 AM on Wednesday, 25 June 2025. He was born on December 25, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Joseph “Bud” Maurice Mitchell Sr. and the late Elizabeth “Betty” Triche Mitchell. Loving husband to Donna Jo Guthrie Mitchell and father to Emily Mitchell (soon to be wed to Christopher Lawrence) and Sarah Mitchell. Loving brother to the late Sharon Mitchell, Glenn Mitchell, (Pamela), Donna Volpe (Anthony), Diane McKearan (late Neil), Robert Mitchell (late Cindy) (Tara), and Danielle Gambino (late Richard) (Sal). Uncle to Lacey (Aaron), Christopher (Ashley) Alicia, Zachary (soon to be wed to Isabelle Dillard), Jessica and Kristina. Also, grand uncle to Cade and Audrey.

A long-time resident of Rankin County, Mississippi, Joey was a seasoned and expert mariner and had salt water in his veins since he was a teenager. He was a member of both the Sea Explorer Ships 46 and 115 of the New Orleans Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, when he was a high school student at Alfred Bonnabel High School in Metairie, Louisiana, graduating in 1977. Sea Exploring (or Sea Scouts as it is more commonly known) is where the seafaring bug bit him, joining the United States Navy in 1980 and obtaining the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, with a specialization of Quartermaster (QM2). He then applied for and obtained a position with the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1984 as an Able-Bodied Seaman on the USACE Dredge WHEELER. He worked there for 40 years, obtaining his Third Mate’s Unlimited License and working up the ranks until obtaining his Master’s Unlimited License. He retired in 2024 as a permanent Chief Mate/Relief Master aboard the WHEELER. Although a dredge’s main purpose is not a glamorous but a necessary one, which is to keep our vital waterways open and commerce flowing and ships safely traveling to ports in the United States, Joey was proud of the essential work he did and referred to himself as a “mudsucker”. It was a monicker he wore proudly as a badge of honor.

Joey was an avid duck hunter and spent a lot of his off the job time pursuing that passion. He also enjoyed spending as much time as possible with family as well, while he was off, taking vacations within the U.S and to Canada and also cruises to the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean. He was a devoted husband and father and worked hard for his family, often going that extra mile at work, taking extra hitches on the dredge, which was his second home. Though missing family milestones that mariners often miss while away from their families, his family completely understood and appreciated his role as provider and made his time home all the more special and precious.

Joey was a devoted member of Ducks Unlimited, Rankin County Mississippi Chapter, and fully believed in the conservation work and stewardship of responsible duck hunting that this organization advocated and avidly participated in fundraising for this chapter. Joey was also a proud member of the VFW Wilson Brian Martin Post #12172 and American Legion Post Number 68.

His wife Donna and daughter Emily would also like to extend a special thank you and their deep appreciation to the Community Living/Hospice staff at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Administration Medical Center in Jackson Mississippi for the excellent care given to Joey while he was in hospice.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Ott and Lee Funeral Home, 1360 W. Government Street, Brandon MS 39042 from noon to 2:30 PM on Saturday, 5 July 2025, followed by interment at 3 PM at Crestview Memorial Gardens, 1106 Star Road, Brandon MS 39042. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations to Ducks Unlimited be made in Joey’s name.