Don “Pops” Newton Mitchell

DURHAM – “Pops” Don Newton Mitchell, 73, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2015. A native and long-time resident of Bethesda as the  son of the late O.C. Mitchell, Jr. and Nellie May Mitchell he was also affectionately known as “Mr. Fantastic”. In his healthier years he was an active member of the community as a member of the Bethesda Ruritan Club and serving as a Deacon and teaching Sunday School at Bethesda Baptist Church. He enjoyed cooking for large gatherings and rocking babies as a volunteer at Duke’s Rock-a-Bye Babies program. But his greatest loves in life were spending time with his family and praising the Lord Jesus Christ by witnessing to others.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan Mitchell; his children, Janna and Craig Elliott of Raleigh and Mike and Veronica Mitchell of Durham; his grandchildren Lauren Elliott, Mackenzie and Danny Fretz, Mary-Craig Elliott, Graycie Elliott, Bruce Mitchell, and Ben Mitchell; and his siblings Phyllis Stubbins of Mooresville, O. Crafton Mitchell, III of Roxboro, Janice King of Timberlake, Steve Mitchell of Durham, and Candy Black of Durham.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church with the Rev. John Butler officiating. Burial will be at the Mitchell Family Cemetery in Bethesda. Pallbearers will be Barry Black, Clint King, Ben Mitchell, Bruce Mitchell, O. Crafton Mitchell III and Eddie Stubbins. Honorary pallbearer will be Steve Mitchell.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. Donations in Pops’ honor can be made to the N.C. Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.