The heart of a man plans his ways, but the Lord orders his steps (Proverbs 16:9), and the Lord called his son, Apostle David Junior Mitchell, 59, of Christiansburg, home on July 1, 2021.
He was born in Winston Salem, N.C., on April 20, 1962, to the late Raymond Julius Mitchell and Mary Alice Covington Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Darlene Beasley W. Mitchell; a stepson, Irvin White II; a stepdaughter, Nakecia English; a brother, Raymond Sutherland Mitchell Jr.; a sister, Mary Horton (Christopher); sisters Linda Peay and Lucy Mitchell; three grandchildren, Shaelyn, Kiara and Kaiden; and a host of nieces and nephews. The list of special people in his life would be too many to name.
David answered the call to minister at the age of 12 and was a God-fearing man and a devoted husband who loved both his home and his church families. He was a 10-year veteran of the United States Army where he served as a military chaplain and a drill sergeant and carried the tradition of service into the church.
David was ordained an apostle on April 25, 2014, by New Covenant Ministries, United Holy Church. He had previously been ordained a church elder in 1984 and a bishop in 2003. He served as a church builder for three different churches for 30 years with a total of 42 years in the ministry. His favorite quote was it is always nice to be nice.
Apostle Mitchell was a man of vision who founded two food banks in Winston Salem including Fountain of Life Ministries and who led a street ministry. He used his skills as a drill sergeant in working with the youth, founding step teams in Christiansburg and in West Virginia. David was a man who allowed his life to speak for him.
In addition to being a visionary, preacher, and teacher, David was a literal builder. He built bridges for Haymes Construction, Inc., under the supervision of a man whom he admired, Mr. Ranny Odell, but the most important bridges he built were the ones that connected people to Christ.
David is described by his wife as” amazing, dedicated, God-fearing, anointed, and full of fire.” He was hard working but commented that the part of his workday he looked forward to the most was coming home to his wife. Knowing Darlene and David is knowing what love looks like. He was forgiving, unstoppable, and a believer who handed his troubles over to God. He was prepared to meet his maker, saying he was ready whenever God called him home.
The family received friends and loved ones for visitation on Friday, July 9 at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel (150 Country Club Dr. SW Blacksburg, VA 24060). Reflections from guests were shared. A private funeral for the family will be held today, Saturday, July 10, at 2 p.m. The family respectfully requests that all in attendance please wear masks. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Elder Mitchell’s honor to New Beginnings Church, 613 Carterville Heights Road, Wytheville, VA, 24382.
