Steve Frank Mitchell, Jr., 90, of Tifton passed away Monday, March 23, 2015, at Maple Court Assisted Living. A graveside funeral service will be held for Mr. Mitchell at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2015, at Oak Ridge Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. Rev. Benjy Varnell will officiate. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 26, 2015, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Mitchell was born September 28, 1924 in Tifton, the son of Steve Frank Mitchell, Sr. and Lillian Lacey Short Mitchell, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Winefred Kirkland Mitchell; a sister, Dolly Chambliss; and a step-grandson, Tyler Shemwell. He retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation and was a member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church. He joined the United States Army in 1944 and was subsequently involved in the European Theater during World War II. After his military service, he attended Auburn University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He remained an avid War Eagle fan. In 1951, he married Winefred Kirkland Mitchell and nobly assumed fatherly duties for her two children from previous marriages.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kirk and Elizabeth Mitchell of Fernandina Beach, Florida; his daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Ronnie Marshall of Bogart; his step-son and his wife, Dickie and Pat Tschudin of Birmingham, Alabama; his step-daughter and her husband, Cindy and Don Julian of Albany; four grandchildren, Kristopher Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell, Katie Johns and Kristen Lindsey; two step-grandchildren, John Tschudin and Foy Shemwell; three great-grandchildren, Fischer Johns, Harper Johns and Zeke Lindsey; and four step great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.