Steve Mitchell
March 24, 2019
Born in:
Hart County, GA
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailDavid Steve Mitchell, 82, of Malvern Hills, Asheville, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2019, at CarePartners Solace Center.
Born in Hart Co., GA, Mr. Mitchell was a son of the late Hershel David Mitchell and Louise Thrasher Mitchell Bonham. He moved with his family to Asheville in the early 1940’s. He was a graduate of Biltmore High School and Brevard College. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from High Point College and his Masters degree from Western Carolina University in school administration.
After teaching school in Guilford County, he moved back to Asheville in 1963 and he worked with the Asheville City School System where he taught at Jones Elementary, was assistant principal at David Millard Junior High School, and principal at Newton, Vance, and Claxton elementary schools. He continued his career at the Asheville City School Central Office as personnel and maintenance director. He finished his education career in Madison County.
An active volunteer, he and his wife Ellen lived in Wilshire Park from 1968 – 2006 where he served as the president of the community club and then moved to Malvern Hills where he also served as president of the Malvern Hills Community Club. He most recently was honored by the Asheville City Council as Asheville’s first “Neighborhood Volunteer of the Year” in 2017.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Mary Mann Class, the NEA and NCAE, and the Asheville Civitan Club. His passion, other than his family and community, was his love of gardening; especially flowers and tomatoes which he loved sharing with his friends and neighbors.
His family include his wife of 58 years, Ellen Walton Mitchell; daughter, Melanie Mitchell Robertson (Mark) and son, David F. Mitchell (Natalia); four grandchildren; Mitchell, Mary Ellen, Micah, and Raleigh; two great grandchildren; Salyssa and Lukah, and a sister, Merle Hart, and many Georgia cousins that he loved dearly.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20 at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Nancy Dixon-Walton officiating. Greeting friends will be from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church , 587 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.
Services
Memorial Service: April 20, 2019 2:00 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
587 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
828-253-5471
Visitation: April 20, 2019 1:00 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
587 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
828-253-5471
Ellen, CM and I send our love to you and your family. Steve’s zest for life was a motivation for me. We will miss him. So many times he helped me and I never did thank him. I pray for peace and comfort for all of you.
Love, Sue
My love and prayers are with all of you at this time. Steve left a beautiful legacy with everyone he met. He
was ” Mr. Biltmore” to all of us! –Frances Rice Shafer
Ellen, my heart, love, and prayers are with you and Melanie and David right now. I love you and Steve both oh so much! You both hold SUCH a special place in my heart! I’ll never forget how much Steve helped us on fixing the house when we lived in Bent Creek. He truly had a servant’s heart! Rest in the knowledge that he is with our Lord and is whole and well again. Please call me if you need anything! I love ya!
We were so sorry to hear that Steve is no longer with us. But what a comfort to know where he is, with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just imagine, Steve is in perfect health and seeing amazing things. He is also having a reunion with loved ones. What a blessing to know we will see him again. We will continue praying for you and your family. One day we will join him.
We love you, Mick and Mary Beam
I bought the Fortune home and admired Steve’s yard and his attention to the detail.
I am very sorry for your loss.
Ellen and family. We are so sorry to hear about your beloved husband. Thank you for being a great friend. Sure miss you on Carlton place. thanks
Dear Ellen, Melanie, David and family,
I pray that the special memories you have as a family will be a blessing during these days of grief. I know that you all brought him much joy as he did you and all the lives he touched! May you sense God’s love and comfort during these days.
Love,
Jane Pruden
Dear Ellen, Melanie, David and family,
I pray the wonderful memories you have as a family are a blessing to you at this time. I know you all brought him much joy as he did you and all the lives he touched. May you sense God’s love and comfort during this time.
Love,
Jane Pruden
Dear Ellen and family, I was saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. There were 64 members of our graduation class and we were a “family”—very close to each other! I was very appreciative of Steve’s efforts to keep us together even though many of us were scattered over many states. I was able to get leave from my school to attend our 42’d reunion and Steve was so excited that I could attend, at last! He will be remembered as a very special friend! His mother, Louise, and my mother were coworkers, so they were well informed about happenings at Biltmore High School. I am sending a memorial contribution in Steve’s name to your Church. May you take comfort in knowing that many others care about your loss!
In Christ’s Love,
Barbara Deaton
My friendship with Steve began in the fall of 1955 when we enrolled at Brevard College. Though we saw each other seldom over the years, each meeting was as if the last one was yesterday.
Steve maintained his boyish friendly ways while leaving no doubt about the man he had become. Superstar!
The world has too few Steve Mitchells. Earths loss is heavens gain.
Ellen, our love and care to you and the family. Know your grief is shared by all who knew Steve.
Doug and Pat Brackett
Dear Ellen and Family,
I was very sad to hear of Steve’s passing. Although I saw him only a few times since we graduated from Brevard in 1957, I always enjoyed laughing and talking with him. He was a great guy. Both he and I were in education most of our careers and so we had a common bond so to speak.
May He, who knows even when the tiny sparrow falls to the ground, watch over and keep you and yours firmly in His care during this time of grief. God bless!
I was so saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. As native of Biltmore I know of no one who knew more about Biltmore High School, was more proud of our school or worked harder to maintain connections to alumni. May God’s Peace and comfort be with you now and in the days to come.
So sorry for your loss, to Steve’s family may your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together.
Mr. Mitchell was the first male teacher at Ira B. Jones Elementary School, and I was blessed to have him as my teacher in the 6th grade.
I must have asked him 20 questions when we were organizing the classroom, all of which he answered without batting an eyelash.
Me: Mr. Mitchell are you married?
MM: Yes, to a woman named Ellen
Me: Do you have any babies?
MM: yes, I have a little girl
Me: What’s her name?
MM: Melanie
Me: How old is she?
MM: Smiling….. she’s two.
Me: I have a brother who is two! We can talk
about the cute things we do.
MM: That will be fun…………..
I remember that day like yesterday. He could have told me to hit the road, but he chose to have a conversation with an eleven year old that has stayed with me my entire life.
Mr. Mitchell reappeared in high school, and I have stories of that time too! I believe he was God’s gift to every life he touched. What a wonderful person!
My heart and prayers go out to Mr. Mitchell’s wife, Ellen, daughter Melanie, and son David (yes, he told me about his baby boy). You will be with him again. Bless all of you.
Vikki Riddle Smith
Grand Island, NY