Robert Marion "Bob" Mitchell

With his children by-his-side, Our Heavenly Father called from this life, his humble, dedicated and lifelong servant, Robert Marion “Bob” Mitchell, to eternal rest and life in His Kingdom, to join those who left before him on Friday, April 21st, 2017. Bob was born in Mobile, AL, and was raised in Ocean Springs as the second oldest of nine children. He attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School and Church, was a graduate of the former Notre Dame High School in Biloxi, and an alumnus of Perkinston Junior College (MGCCC). He then received his Master’s Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1967 with dedicated support from his recently wedded wife. Upon receiving his degree, Bob taught for a short time at USM in Hattiesburg, then obtained a career with ExxonMobil, where he remained a dedicated employee for 33 years. During that time, he and his new, growing family were transferred to several different job assignments in cities around the Southeast including New Orleans, Chattanooga and Nashville, TN, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Shreveport, LA. His final assignment prior to retirement was back to the Coast in 2000, in which he and his wife retired to Gautier in 2001 to be near Bob’s large, very supportive and loving group of family and friends, including his parents and four brothers and four sisters. There aren’t enough kind and positive words to describe the type of Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Relative, and Friend Bob was to all that knew him. The brightness that his smile and presence brought into a room would put even the most negative person in better spirits. His bright personality and sense-of-humor were timeless, original and one-of-kind, and the kindness in his heart was second-to-none. He would never turn his back to someone in-need, and the unconditional love and care he expressed to his wife, children, family, and friends could never be surpassed in our eyes, but only equal. Life will never be the same for any life that he touched, but his memory and love will comfort us all. God Bless you Father, Brother, Son, Relative and Friend, You are under Heavens Skies now. Bob was very dedicated to his Catholic Faith, and he passed that Faith into the upbringing of his three surviving children. His longest job assignment during his tenure was on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where he and his family resided in Long Beach, in-which they were members of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for 14 years. Bob was also a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Vincent De Paul Council #4898 in Long Beach, where he once served as a Grand Knight. He was very proud of his “presidency” during that time. Bob continued to pay his dues to that council for many years after he and his family left the Coast. Living in Gautier until his passing, Bob and his wife, were members of the St. Mary’s Parish for 17 years. Throughout his beautiful and joyful life, Bob did volunteer work for many different charities and organizations. He was a member of the Optimist Club in Long Beach during the mid-70’s and 1980’s, and did many fundraising events for the Knights of Columbus. His kids will never forget accompanying him selling Christmas trees for the Optimist Club every December, or selling Tootsie Rolls for the K of C outside the former National grocery store in Long Beach. Lastly, but not least, Bob recently became a member of the VFW Lyman C. Bradford Jr. Auxiliary #2434 in Biloxi. He was the third man in the state to be voted-on in the previous all-women auxiliary. After retirement, Bob and his wife Ginger dedicated much of their time to the St. Vincent De Paul Community Pharmacy in Biloxi, and Bob delivered hot meals to those-in-need through the Lord is My Help Soup Kitchen in Ocean Springs for many years until he was no-longer physically able to do-so. Quoting our Dad, he always strived to instill into his children “Charity is always within arm’s reach.” Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Ginger Schreffler Mitchell, and his father, Michael Brady Mitchell, Sr. of Ocean Springs. Bob is survived by his mother, Anna Josephine Mitchell, of Ocean Springs; and his three children, John Michael Mitchell of Lobelville, TN, Michelle Anna Mitchell Mayeaux, and one loving son-in-law, Edward J. Mayeaux, and Oscar Sean “Buzz” Mitchell of Gautier, plus one loving grandson, Brady Sean Mitchell of Athens, AL, currently residing in San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by his loving and dedicated girlfriend, Betty Powell Doucet of Biloxi. Bob is the first of his siblings to be called to the Lord, and is survived by his brothers, Michael B. (Virginia) Mitchell, Jr. of Ocean Springs, William J. (Joan) Mitchell of Montgomery, AL, Francis D. (Vicky) Mitchell of Ocean Springs, and Patrick S. (Patricia) Mitchell of Ocean Springs; his sisters, Mary Anna Zito of Mobile, AL, Margaret J. (Jesse) Migues and husband of Ocean Springs, Elizabeth B. (John) Ludwig of Ocean Springs, and Martha J. Thompson of Picayune; plus many caring and loving cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends all around the country. The family would like to thank all of the medical professionals that cared for Bob during his illness, including Dr. Lydia LaTour, Ocean Springs Hospital staff, Deaconess Home Health and Camellia Hospice. As well as the countless number of family and friends who offered and gave their unlimited prayers and support. Visitation will be held Friday, April 28th, 2017 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Porter Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Holy Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 29th, 2017 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs on Jackson Avenue at 11:00 a.m., with interment following at Crestlawn Memorial Park, in which he will be laid to rest, next to his wife, Ginger. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for donations to Bob’s three favorite charities: St. Vincent De Paul Community Pharmacy, The Lord is My Help Soup Kitchen and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. “With death comes eternal and never-ending life, I have not left you, because I will always be with you.”