Obituary

Richard Ellis Mitchell
January 2, 1945 - July 25, 2020



Richard Ellis Mitchell, age 75 and a resident of the Spring Creek Community, died Saturday night July 25, 2020 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He was a Junior Warden, 32nd Degree Mason with the Spring Creek Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M., 19th Masonic District and former member of the Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 428 in Arabi, LA and Bowen Lodge Lodge No. 248 in Eight Mile, AL. Richard was a member of Kushla–Bethany Baptist Church, Kushla, AL and a veteran of the United States Army Reserve for 6 years. He worked in the Chemical Division of Kaiser Aluminum from 1965 to 1983, then continued his career with Vinings Industries and Southern Ionics until his retirement in 2010. He could fix just about anything that needed repairing. Richard enjoyed smoking his favorite meats and cheeses. He had a true green thumb and could grow anything. His favorite crops to grow and share were okra, tomatoes, peppers, and blueberries with the help of his dearly loved sidekicks Shadeaux, Missy, and Socko. He could make conversation with anyone, and once a friend, he cherished you as family. Richard liked to check in on people and would give you the shirt off of his back if you asked for it. To know him was to love him.

Survived by: Wife of 53 years: Ollie Alice Hines Mitchell of Spring Creek; 2 Daughters and Sons in law: Chanda Dawn Mitchell Saacks and Derrin Saacks of Folsom, LA, Alisa Michelle Mitchell Russo and Edmond Joseph Russo, Jr. of League City, TX; 4 Grandchildren: Dalton Ellis Saacks, Lindsey Shay Saacks, Brianna Michelle Saacks, Emma Jane Russo; 1 Sister: Peggy Joyce Mitchell Toney of Harvest, AL; 1 Brother: Ronald Mitchell of Bogalusa; Also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Arlon Mitchell and Emma Viola Pounds Mitchell and brothers Joseph Hardy Mitchell, Martin A. Mitchell, David A. “Jug” Mitchell, Leslie L. “PeeWee” Mitchell

A private graveside funeral service will be held in the Palestine Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Frederick Brumfield officiating. A masonic rites service will also be conducted as part of the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Spring Creek Masonic Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M., 72909 LA Hwy 1061, Spring Creek, LA 70444.