Rev. Van Russell Mitchell Mitchell, Sr. Sr.

Rev. Van Russell Mitchell, Sr., age 77, of Grifton, has completed the journey on earth he was prayed to do. God finally said to him, It is enough, and brought him home to Heaven and unto Him, on September 10, 2025.

A celebration of his life and legacy will be held at the Grifton FWB Church on Saturday, September 13. Visitation will be from 12 noon til 1:30. (The church is located at 674 Wall St, in Grifton.) The funeral will be at 1:30. Burial will follow directly at Evergreen Memorial.

Van was born in Lenoir County on October 19, 1947, to Eber and Martha Mitchell. They had six girls at the time and desperately wanted a son. Our mama was a woman of faith and she pled to God for a boy. Van was her answer and she adored him. She fell asleep most nights with a tear stained face, her Bible in hand, during Van's wandering years. It was when she lay in her own casket that he surrendered to God as she had begged. It was his turning point and he never looked back.

Van attended Grifton High School and was in the Class of '66. Living the farm life had made quite an athlete of him. He held the state record for Pole Vaulting. He was an avid Patriot of America and served in the United States Air Force, and dodged bombs in Vietnam. He courageously waved, defended, and was proud of the American flag.

His maternal grandmother, Mammy Jane, was also a staunch woman of faith. She boldly prayed for preacher boys in her family. Van was a chosen one to this call. He attended the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tn. and Southeastern in Virginia in preparation. He pastored in Sweetwater, Tn. and led his home church, Grifton FWB Church, for 28 years before retiring for health reasons. He had literally worn his heart out for those who knew him as Preacher Van.

Next to his salvation, the best thing he did was to marry his Glory Jean. He loved Gloria Ormond and married her on June 4th, 1971. Their love was fierce and loyal for all 54 years. She was his ferocious protector, and loved him with her whole heart. She said he was her entire world. It was her Proverbs 31 calling. She survives her husband.

His great joy and pride were his children. They are his son, Rev. Van Mitchell, Jr. of Grifton. His daughter, Amanda Sutton (Sammy) of Spartanburg, SC. They were the gift that gave him his beloved grands. Chandler (Cierra), Raigan (Robert), Weston, Eddie Van (Katelyn), Pearl, (Jesse) Lori, Noah, Micah, and Titus. God granted him time to see his greats, Kaylee, Mason, and a new one still in the womb. Van was greatly loved by Gloria's family and he considered them his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mitch, and his sisters, Iris Davis, and Dorothy Harris. Van knew life began at conception and he included the unnamed sister who died at birth, and a miscarriage.

Mama's dying wish was that her children remain close. They come no closer. His surviving sisters are heartbroken at the loss of their brother. They are; Letha Buck of Greenville, Barbara Grady of Kinston, Shirley Dennis of Ayden, Diane Thomas (Lyal) of Alaska, Laverne Atwell (Jim) of Grifton. He leaves a multitude of nieces and nephews that grieve at the passing of their Uncle Van. Most have remembered him as the greatest man they have ever known. There are a host of young people he ministered to over the years that love him. He poured his life into them. These are his legacy.

Van was a warrior of the faith and has now laid his mantle down. He carried the torch that burned for Christ and now passes it. His question to all reading this would be, Will you be the one to pick it up?

Flowers are welcome.