Everette Lee Mitchell

Everette Lee (E.L.) Mitchell, 97, of McMinnville, TN, died on Sunday, May 29, 2016, following a long life well lived. Mr. Mitchell was born at home to Rosa Belle and James Lee Mitchell on October 14, 1918. He was married for fifty-three years to the late Robbie Lucille Mitchell with whom he shared two, beloved children, Paul (Andrea) Mitchell and Sandra (Jimmy) Denning, both of whom survive and honor him. He was Granddaddy to ten grandchildren by birth and marriage and sixteen great-grandchildren: Nancy Denning (Danny Ray) Martin (Danielle, Jeremy, and Sophia); Julia (Todd) Noblin (Jackson and Ellie); Mike (Sheri) Denning (Adam, Maya, Sara, Brianna, and Jana); Laura (Mike) Hardcastle (Hannah and Alex); Terry (Sierra) Denning (Easton, Ruby, Willa, and Lawson). His siblings, Hardie Mitchell, Elsie Williamson, Zelma Roller, and William Burnice Mitchell (died at nine days old), preceded him in death, but he is survived by their families whom he loved dearly, including his sister-in-law, Juanita Mitchell. He is survived also by his Christian family at the Dibrell Church of Christ where he worshipped and served most of his life. A talented athlete, Mr. Mitchell played basketball and baseball throughout school and for Lipscomb University where in 1939, the year he graduated, he was the all-time leading scorer for the Conference. He was inducted into the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame. He was a decorated veteran who flew in The Knight Night in the Air Force in World War II. He started teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and became a respected educator and coach in Warren County before retiring as assistant principal from Warren County High School. He was a devoted husband, in love with his wife beyond her passing in 1996. He was a devoted father, tough at times but always loving and encouraging. He was the patriarch of a family devoted to him. Mr. Mitchell was a gifted storyteller, and after a Sunday dinner with all his family, the stories would begin, legendary tales of the exploits of his early life and the characters he knew. He loved to laugh, a deep, rumbling laugh that threw back his head and shook his shoulders. He let his grandchildren ride in the back of his truck, “surf” on a trailer pulled by a tractor, and splash in the creek on the farm. He put watermelons in the freezer before church on Sundays and cracked them open cold and sweet after lunch. He loved to watch college basketball. He worked hard and led by example. He was a loyal friend, trusted colleague, and valued leader who touched and shaped the lives of generations in Warren County and beyond. He was most proud not of his own accomplishments but of his family, his legacy of love, integrity, resilience, and generosity. In nearly a century of life, E.L. Mitchell witnessed and experienced The Great Depression, World War II, The Korean Conflict, Vietnam, 9/11, the introduction of televisions in every home and a man walking on the moon. He saw telephones and computers proliferate modern life and shrink in size. He saw the world grow smaller. He knew the cost of war and violence, and he knew the great capacity people have for kindness and sacrifice. He understood the joys and tragedies that create a full life, and he lived his life well with a wisdom few of us will ever come to have. Most importantly, E.L. Mitchell was a Christian, a man of great and sustaining faith, a witness to the grace and glory of God, a man who lived his life in a way that reflected his mercy and salvation. After 20 years and 97 years respectively, he has gone to be with his beloved wife and his Lord, and he is survived by a world much safer, kinder, warmer, and wiser for having had him in it. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 in High's Chapel with John Henson officiating. Burial will follow in the Webb Cemetery @ Bluff Springs. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at High's.