JAMES REGINALD MITCHELL, passed away in Memphis, TN on April 18, 2007. James, age 53, was born in Memphis, TN, the baby son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Evelyn Mitchell. James was a graduate of Carver High School, Class of 1971.
After serving for the United States Coast Guard, he became a firefighter for the Memphis Fire Department, where he had worked for the last twenty-four years. He was a driver for Engine 52A in the Hickory Hill area, where he had formed life long professional friendships. He was a career member of the Black Pioneer Fire Fighters.
This quiet and unassuming man was busy in this town. He was a trained photographer, a manager and drummer for an "Old School" music band call ABS (All Brought Something) and the owner of Magic Butterfly Production, a videography company that filmed events and church programs for cable television. James was a Christian and a member of Christ Missionary Baptist Church.
He leaves his wife, Carolyn Mitchell of Memphis; two daughters, Cynthia Baker of Birmingham, AL and Kimberly Dawkins (Craig) of Cherry Point, North Carolina. He was totally devoted to his daughters and his beautiful grandchildren. He would travel miles to spend quality time with them and was never timid about babysitting. He also leaves five sisters, Rosie Jackson, Velma Kelly, Pat Perry, Rachel Hill (Nathaniel) and Constance Kolheim (Leo), all of Memphis; five brothers, Thornal Oliver (Pauline) of Kansas City, MO, Orell Mitchell, Jesse Mitchell (Ruby), Charles Mitchell (Evelyn) and Ronald E. Mitchell, Sr. (TaJuan), all of Memphis. James has a host of extended family members and friends who loved him.
Visitation, Monday, April 23 from 3-6:30 p.m. at N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home and Tuesday, April 24, from 9-10:55 a.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral service is Tuesday, April 24 at 11 a.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 494 South Parkway East and Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart officiating. Burial in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.