Rev. Walter Edward Mitchell Sr., lifetime resident of Chesapeake, Va. and recently retired pastor of New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, died at home on Sunday, Nov. 4th. He was born May 31, 1944 to William and Novella Mitchell and grew up in the Hickory section of Norfolk County.

Upon graduation in 1963 from Crestwood High, he began working for Merchant's Delivery Service of Norfolk. Later, his work experiences included driving a gasoline tanker for Sun Oil. In the 1980s, when the company relocated to Pennsylvania, he accepted severance pay and chose to accept their offer to finance his college education. Nearly thirty years after high school, he earned a bachelor's degree in history at Norfolk State University.

Having become a minister of the gospel in his early twenties, while attending Mt. Zion Holiness Church in Hickory, Va., Rev. Mitchell eventually joined New Mt. Olive Baptist, where he served as pastor for thirty-five years. In addition to ministry, he worked as night manager of circulation for the Virginian Pilot, where he retired. Occasionally, he also worked as a substitute teacher for Norfolk Public Schools.

In addition to Mrs. Gracie Phillips Mitchell, his faithful and loving wife of 52 years, his survivors include two children: LaVern (Stacy) Savage and husband, Ricky (Va. Beach, Va.); Walter Jr. and wife, Awele (Va. Beach, Va.); and three grandsons: Walter III, Brandon, and Camren. Also mourning his death are his mother, Mrs. Novella Corprew Mitchell (Chesapeake, Va.), and surviving siblings: Willie L. Mitchell and wife, Barbara (Portsmouth, Va.); Vincent Paul Mitchell and wife, Mary (Ocala, Fl.); Joshua J. Mitchell and wife, Jean (Portsmouth, Va.); Raymond E. Mitchell and wife, Doris (Roanoke, Va.); Timothy M. Mitchell and wife, Veronica (Newport News, Va.); Miles H. Mitchell (Baltimore, Md.); Ruth Marie Freeman and husband, Wayne (Chesapeake, Va.); William L. Mitchell Jr. and wife, Brigette (Ft. Worth, Tx.); sister-in-law, Glenda M. Mitchell (Fayetteville, NC); sister-in-law, Flora Mae Cuffee (Chesapeake, Va.), and a host of relatives and friends.

Rev. Mitchell was preceded in death by his father, William L. Mitchell Sr. and two siblings: Isaac S. Mitchell Sr. and Stanley E. Mitchell.

A home going celebration will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 1765 S Military Highway, Chesapeake. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park. A wake service will be held Friday, November 9, 2018 from 6pm until 8pm at New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 662 Fernwood Farms Road, Chesapeake. Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.