Johnny Mitchell, Sr.

Johnny Mitchell, Sr, 72, of Smiths Station, AL died peacefully while at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, GA on Sunday, January 28, 2024 surrounded by family. 

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 01, 2024 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Reverend Jammie Holloway officiating. Interment with U.S. Army Honors will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. 

Mr. Mitchell was born August 29, 1951, in Red Level, AL son of the late Mary Belle Atkins Mitchell. He had worked at Sexton Car Sales and was the owner of Wholesale Motors. Mr. Johnny was a natural salesman and loved every minute of it too. As Johnny would say “money talks”. Mr. Johnny was known for his honesty and straight forward talk both professionally and in his personal life. 

He coached Babe Ruth Baseball in Smiths Station when his sons were small, and he and his wife ran the concessions stand for years. Mr. Johnny loved to fish with his family, mostly his grandchildren, and travel to Biloxi, MS. He was known at the Lee County Flea Market as the “Goat Man” as he traded goats and chickens regularly there. He also loved to listen to old style county music regularly. We will miss him, but he has left a legacy of trust and honesty for us to continue to build upon. 

Mr. Mithcell was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Belle Atkins Mitchell; four sisters, Evon Mitchell Palmer, Jennie May Brogden, Alberta Armstrong and Bonnie Faye Quinley Castleberry; three brothers, Claude Quinley, Joseph Quinley and Fred Quinley.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Patricia Lawrence Mitchell, Phenix City, AL; three sons, Johnny “John” Mitchell, Jr. (Rachel), Mark Mitchell (Debra) and Brian Mitchell; one sister, Sara Coleman; two brothers, Leon Mitchell (Frances) and David Mitchell (Linda); ten grandchildren, Taylor Mitchell (Katherine). Dalton Mitchell, Alex Mitchell, Brandon Mitchell, Tyler Mark Bullock, Lane Bullock, Erica Bullock, Brittany Bullock (Doug), Whitney Muraski and Tami Tracy; two precious great-grandchildren, Lawton Cade Mitchell and Mallie Edwards; several nieces, nephews and friends.