Larry Wayne Mitchell

Larry Wayne Mitchell Sr., 72, beloved husband of Judith Hammons Mitchell passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond, Kentucky.
He was born in Woodford county, August 26, 1949 at his family home Elkwood (farm) in Midway, to the late Leslie Jacob Mitchell Sr., and loving Mother, Edith Mae Rawlings Mitchell.
In the 1930's-40's-50's, Larry's talented father, uncles and cousins sang at church and birthday gatherings, held in honor of his late grandfather.
This innate family gift of talent enabled Larry, as a teenager, to become an accomplished vocalist and musician, and in the 1960s-70's, he was sought out as lead singer for some of the best Kentucky bands working at the time. (Honorable mention goes to the late Barbara and Clyde Foley and George Kerns).
Eventually signing with Billy Adams (Sun Studio), of Memphis Artist Attractions, he was booked in venues around the south, where one night his beautiful voice and talent attracted the dicerning ear of the the father of country music, Earnest Tubb.
However, toward the late 70's, he returned home to Elkwood, where enjoyed a simple life working with Robert Comley and cousin Spencer Wall, until he started his own painting business in 1984.
After building his forever home in Midway in the early 90's, (with the help and assistance of his lifetime friend Denny Evans), he spent the last decade of the milinium persuing graphic arts with his sisters, Beverly Toy, and Donna Ashley, and brother-in-law Dean Ashley, at Magna Graphic Inc., Lexington.
Later years have found him happily married and content, with his wife and soul mate of 43 years, and working with his close friends Jim Walters and Troy Blair of Elite express, Lexington.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Johnson Mitchell, sister-in-law, Linda Purvis Mitchell, brother-in-law, Ronald E. Toy, Jr., brother-in-law, Buffalo Charles Smith, Sr., and brother-in-law, Chester Aurther Hammons Jr.
Larry's gentle spirit, sweet smile, and forgiving heart will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife Judy (Hammons) Mitchell, siblings, Marilyn (Gene) Rigney, Midway, Leslie Jacob (Elizabeth) Mitchell, Jr., Frankfort, Warren Ezekiel (Carolyn) Mitchell, Frankfort, Margie (Jerry) Atwood, Midway, Donna (Dean) Ashley, Versailles, Beverly Toy, Frankfort, Edith Katherine (Mike) Mabry, Crittenden, sisters-in-law, Nancy Robertson, and Vickie Hammons...Kelly Robertson Hoke, and Robbie Robertson of Richmond, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, nieghbors, and friends,..and a dearly loved aunt, Nancy Hammons Sowder of Lexington.
Private Funeral Services will be held with burial to follow at Midway Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Dean Ashley, Mark Toy, Robbie Robertson, James Charas, Andrew Anderson, and Denny Evans.
HONORARY pallbearers are "Zeke" Mitchell, "Jake" Mitchell, Marlon Mitchell, Jerry Atwood, Mike Mabry, Gene Rigney, David Phillips, Micheal Hoke, Jim Walters Anthony Parks, and Troy Blair.
MEMORIAL contributions are suggested to the Woodford Humane Society, P.O. Box 44, Versailles, KY 40383.
Memories and messages of condolence can be left here on Larry's tribute wall.