Bob Mitchell passed on March 2 in Richmond, VA.
Bob spent most of his life in Rocky Mount, NC where he and his former spouse of 37 years, Margaret Harris Mitchell raised their two daughters, Helen and Lauren. Since July of 2020, Bob lived with Lauren and her husband Seth and their three children.
Born in Rocky Mount on October 16, 1945, Bob grew up in Louisburg with a very close-knit family, including cousins that were like siblings. He loved life on his family's farm where he learned Christian values and established a strong work ethic performing daily chores and later with multiple jobs such as driving an oil truck over the summers. Bob often talked about having the best childhood riding bikes and chasing friends all over Franklin County with his brother, Roger Best.
From grade school thru grad school, Bob never missed a class and was never tardy! He graduated from Louisburg High in 1964, where he played the French horn in band and drove a school bus to earn money. Bob graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Business in 1968, where he was also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and earned his MBA from UNC in 1970. He was a proud lifetime member of the General Alumni Association.
Bob was the Assistant Controller and later Controller for Eastern NC Belk stores for 26 years, where he managed inventory and finance. He then served as Seventh District Court Magistrate for 12 years, retiring in 2011. Through both positions, he made lifelong friends that were an active part of his life.
For nearly 45 years, Bob was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. He was involved in community organizations, such as Jaycees, Kiwanis, and the Elks Club. Over the last 10 years, Bob's favorite "organization" was his Hardees coffee men's group where he met friends to laugh and solve the world's problems.
Bob had a passion for history, geology, travel, and Carolina Basketball. Often, family trips were centered around Civil War battlefields, National Parks and other historic sites. Recent trips included Bermuda, Scotland, Ireland, Machu Picchu and Yellowstone. He loved elaborate trips and watching his daughters experience Earth's beauty and its various cultures. His most recent international vacation was a train ride through the Canadian Rockies on a Daddy-Daughters trip.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Roger Best Mitchell and Selema Gertrude Mullen, and his older brother and best childhood friend, Roger Best Mitchell, Jr, who tragically drowned in 1960.
Bob is survived by his daughters, Helen Mitchell Nester (Antonio) of Chapel Hill and Lauren Mitchell Noonkester (Seth) of Richmond, VA. He was a loving grandfather to his seven grandchildren: Rose, Vivian, Annabel, Mitchell, Lucille, Harris and Elizabeth.
Daddy will be remembered for being the best "Popsie" to his grandchildren, always reading a story on his lap or playing on the floor, and the most loving father any two daughters could ever imagine. He was and always will be "so much to love."
The memorial service is Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. at Plank Chapel United Methodist, 3047 Bobbitt Road, Kittrell, NC, followed by a reception and fellowship with the family.
In memory of Bob, donations can be made to First United Methodist in Rocky Mount and Plank Chapel United Methodist.
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