Frederick “Fred” D. Mitchell was born in New River, Va., on Aug. 20, 1932, and left this earthly world
on Aug. 8, 2021, peacefully at his home in Philadelphia, Penn.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Melita Mitchell, of New River, Va., his sister,
Othello Young, of Washington D. C., and the love of his life, his wife, Betty Ann Black.
Through this union four children were left to mourn: Ernest Mitchell (Julia) of Radford, Anthony Mitchell
of Long Beach, Calif., Faye Lee (Kelvin) of Radford, and Larry Mitchell (Debbie) of Pennsauken, N.J.
Fred also leaves to mourn two sisters, Gloria Jean Austin of Southfield, Mich., and Helen Jo Mitchell
Hillman of Albuquerque, N.M.; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends.
So many stories are told about Fred that when he gave his own children an allowance, he also gave an
allowance to the nieces and nephews that looked up to him as a father figure.
Fred served his country in the U. S. Army from February 1951 until his honorable discharge in January
1954. He often through the years told stories of how he parachuted out of planes and of his many other
adventures while serving.
After his union to Betty, they moved and started a life in Philadelphia where Fred started his own
business of window and rug cleaning until he retired.
He was an avid fisherman, often going deep sea fishing from a boat or just from a bank.
Fred was very involved with his community. He was loved by many friends and neighbors. He never met
a stranger, and was always willing to give a hand. His door was always open.
He will be sadly missed, but we are comforted in knowing that he lived the life he loved.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until noon today, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at the Mullins
Funeral Home in Radford. A celebration of Fred’s life will begin at noon with the Rev. Tommie Page
officiating. Interment will follow in the New River Cemetery.
The Mitchell family is in the care of the Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory of Radford.
