James Edwin Mitchell

1934 - 2022

James Edwin Mitchell
December 14, 1934 - February 21, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina - James Edwin Mitchell (Ed) of Raleigh went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 21st, 2022, peacefully at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joyce Weldon Mitchell, sons James Edwin Mitchell, Jr. (Hannah) of New Bern, Byron Glenn Mitchell, Dwayne Fielding Mitchell (Susan) and Alan William Mitchell, all of Raleigh, grandchildren Hannah Kate Mitchell McWilliams (John), Mollie Mitchell Darch (Bryan), Elizabeth Mitchell Rixey (Tom), Matthew Mitchell (Tiffany), BG Mitchell (Molly), Graham Mitchell and Alex Blair Mitchell. He is survived by great-grandchildren Wilson Mitchell, Leah Mitchell, Bella Mitchell, Wyatt Darch and three babies on the way. Ed is also survived by a brother, Sid Mitchell of Georgia. He was predeceased by his brother Bill Mitchell and his sister Mary Mitchell Murphy.
Ed was born to Mamie Glover and William Frank Mitchell on December 14th, 1934, into a family with a long, rich agricultural history of raising livestock, crops and timber in Franklin County.
Ed graduated from Epsom High School in 1953, where he excelled on the debate team and captained the basketball team (a few years later he would marry the spirited, beautiful Head Cheerleader, Joyce). He was an active leader in 4-H and the FFA. In 1952, his steer won the NC Hereford Association award as Reserve Champion, and the following year, his steer received the Grand Champion prize. He was a talented vocalist, singing at special events and he loved to dance.
He earned a BS degree in Agricultural Economics in 1959 from his beloved NC State, where he was active in fraternity life as a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and 4-H.
Ed began his career with the Agricultural Extension Service in Wilson, NC. In 1962, he moved his young family to join the Farm Bureau in downtown Raleigh where he was instrumental in founding their tire and battery brand. His talents were noticed quickly in the industry, and he was recruited by Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. to lead their sales efforts in the Carolinas. Ed then went on to establish his own wholesale tire and battery business. Upon retiring, he joined with Joyce in her real estate business at HPW, also managing their real estate properties, farm and timber. He and Joyce were faithful members of Trinity Baptist Church.
After growing up on the farm in Franklin County, even though he lived the rest of his life in the city, Ed never lost his love for the outdoors, his vegetable and flower gardens, driving his beloved pickup truck, and spending time out on their farm riding his tractor with his seven grandchildren. He was a problem solver beyond compare, brilliant with tools and could fix almost anything. He was also an excellent cook and was known for his fresh vegetables from the garden, meatloaf, pancakes and banana pudding. These were a few of the many dishes loved by his family, especially his grandchildren.
Most importantly, Ed was a man of integrity. Almost to a fault, he was honest and loyal to family and friends, going above and beyond to help those in need. He kept to his word. His counsel was wise. He will lovingly be remembered by his wife, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends as always being genuine and true to himself, a man of inner strength whose character was a role model for all.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 6th at Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC at 2:00 pm, followed by the service in the sanctuary at 3:00.
In memory of Edwin, flowers will be appreciated, or memorials can be made to The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, and online at Give.LLS.org. or Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.
Services provided by Brown-Wynne, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh