Dennis R. Mitchell

Dennis R. Mitchell, 65, of Roanoke, went home to his Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 5, 2011. He died peacefully in Walnut Creek, Calif., after a two year battle with lung cancer. He was born in Roanoke, Va., on October 24, 1946, to Harry and Dorothy Mitchell. He was a graduate of William Byrd High School when he met, fell in love, and married Carol Shepherd Mitchell. They were happily married for over 47 years. He retired from Norfolk & Southern with over 41 years of service. He was a resident of the Roanoke area for most of his life and attended church at Seneca Baptist Church in Elliston, Va. He was a very active outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish, camp, and go ATV and Jeep trail riding with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Carol Shepherd Mitchell, of Roanoke, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Susan Mitchell, of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter, Penny Mitchell, of Roanoke, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and John Hoover, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; granddaughter, Maggie Hoover; mother, Dorothy Mattox Mitchell, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; brother and sister-in-law, William and Debbie Mitchell, of Montvale, Va.; and sister and brother-inlaw, Sara and the late Robert Cranston, of Pittsburgh, Pa. A Memorial Service is planned for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Seneca Baptist Church, 8572 Roanoke Road Elliston, VA 24087. The family will receive friends following the service and refreshments will be served. Dennis requested that instead of sending flowers that donations be made in his memory to the Youth Outdoor Ministries at Seneca Baptist Church. Dennis was not a big talker but he did instill in his children three key values: first, Love God and always put him first; second, Love family; and last, appreciate and take care of the outdoors. Thank you for being a great husband, a great father, and a great friend you will be missed very much!