Obituary
Guest Book
MITCHELL, Mr. Wendell W., passed away following an extended illness on Saturday, February 4, 2012, surrounded by his family. Mitchell's life was characterized by a life of public service having served the 30th District in the Alabama Senate for 28 years. He was devoted to higher education having served Faulkner University as a board member, Law Professor and Dean of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. Mitchell was born in Montgomery, September 4, 1940 and was raised in Luverne, Alabama. He received a bachelor's degree from Auburn University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama.
Mitchell was married to Rosalind McBride Mitchell of Greenville, AL for 47 years. After law school, they lived in Gadsden AL and then Washington D.C. before returning to his hometown of Luverne. While in Washington, he served as the Chief of Staff to both Alabama Congressman Tom Bevil and later to United States Senator James B. Allen. In 1974, Mitchell won the state senate seat for the 30th District and served his district with a resonating slogan "I'll go with you or I'll go for you." Mitchell earned the nickname "Walking" Wendell for walking from Dothan to Montgomery early in his political career.
As one of the most longstanding members of the Alabama Senate, Mitchell served as the Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 2007-2010. During his legislative career, he chaired or served on almost every committee in the Senate, ending his career as the chairman of the standing committee on Governmental Affairs. He was named "Legislator of the Year" by numerous organizations, and he was chosen six times by his peers to serve as Alabama's chief spokesman in the Southern Legislative Conference and the Council of State Governments, two of the leading national legislative organizations.
Mitchell was an active member of the Luverne Church of Christ and later, Vaughn Park Church of Christ where he served as a Sunday School teacher of the "auditorium class" for a number of years.
Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, Furman G. and Pearl Mitchell of Luverne. He is survived by his wife Rosalind McBride Mitchell of Greenville, AL, his children, Peter Maury Mitchell (Pamela), Wendelyn Mitchell Ahrendt (Scott), both from Montgomery, and Shelly Mitchell Sowell (Steven) of Palos Verdes, California. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and his bother Peter Wayne Mitchell (Kay) of Penscola FL and his sister Annette Sikes of Montgomery.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 10 at the Vaughn Park Church of Christ in Montgomery. The family will receive visitors from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m and the funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at a later time. Donations may be made to Agape of Montgomery, the Vaughn Park Church of Christ Family Care Fund and Faulkner University in his name. Condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 23, 2012
Cathy Perdue
Rosalind,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Wendell was always so kind and friendly to me and I will miss him. Thank you for your friendship, too. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 13, 2012
With deepest sympathy,
Lomax and Clara Colquett
February 13, 2012
Rosalind,
You and your family are in our prayers.
Ronny and Linda Turner
February 11, 2012
Mrs. Mitchell, the memorial service for Senator Mitchell was just beautiful. The music, the reflections from the different speakers and the family participation could not have been more perfect. Senator Mitchell would have appreciated all of the time, effort and love that went into all of the arrangements. He will always be remembered for the many things that he did for so many people and communities in Alabama and District 30. He made life better for all of us in his district.
Jean A. Thompson (Retired from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College) and Greenville City Council, District 1.
February 11, 2012
Phil Fleming
Dear Mrs. Mitchell,
It Was A Sincere Blessing To Meet You And Your Family Yesterday.
As I Said, Wendell Was A Real Blessing To Me.
May The Peace Of The Lord Be With You Always.
Sincerely,
Phil+
February 10, 2012
Margaret Nichols
We are so sorry in the loss of Wendell Mitchell. He was such a good man and did so much for Crenshaw County. He will be missed and we want Rosalind and all the family to know they all have our deepest smypathy..God Bless you all. Ed and Margaret Nichols,Luverne, AL.
February 10, 2012
Carolyn Gibson
To the Mitchell family, my sincere condolences for your lost. Senator Mitchell will be missed and was always pleasant, compassionate and passionate about what he believed to be the right thing. My late husband, Don Gibson, worked with him on several projects benefiting Troy University and Pike County. Even after moving to Montgomery, he was supportive of Don's legislative research business. Don and I had only great respect for Senator Mitchell. God be with you during this difficult time.
February 10, 2012
Sylvia Mills
Rosalind, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
February 10, 2012
Angie Roling, Ph.D.
Jim and I send our sincere condolences to the family of Senator Mitchell. Over the years, we had the good fortune of talking with him at various functions in Pike County. We greatly appreciate all that he did for Pike County, Troy, and Troy University over the years. He was a genuine friend to us and many others, and we will miss him greatly.
Angie and Jim Roling
Troy, AL
February 10, 2012
Sandra Hart
May this candle light your way into the heavens.
February 10, 2012
Sandra Hart
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
February 9, 2012
Joanne Wilkes
Rosalind, we are so very sorry about Wendell's death. Wendell and all his family are almost like kin to us. My aunt Myra Farrior and my mother Mrs. Wilma Revel would also like to express their sympathy and lost for all of us as well. As aunt Myra worked for the family in sales for 30 or 40 years I believe and It was so kind of Wendell to attend aunt Myra's 90th birthday celebration. I think the last time I saw either of you was on the Crenshaw County Courthouse steps, where the 3 of us talked and remembered old times. Senator Mitchell was a wonderful, caring, loving christian man and we love are praying for you and your family. Joanne and Paul Wilkes (used to be Mills).
February 9, 2012
Shannon Buck Mohajerin
Dean Mitchell always had a kind word and a ready smile. He will be missed here at Jones.
February 9, 2012
Deb and Chris Carson
Sending our thoughts and prayers to your family. Wishing you comfort knowing that he used his influence in life to serve and give voice to many others.
February 9, 2012
Phil Fleming
Wendell Mitchell Was Like A Father To Me. He Was A Very Humble Public Servant Who Personally Helped Me With My Father's Alabama G.I. Bill When I Was In College.
We Met For Breakfast At Least Once A Year And I Really Enjoyed The Time We Spent Together.
He Was Such A Kind Gentleman And A True Statesman. I Know He Is In The Company Of The Saints.
Peace Be With You, My Good Friend.
Phil Fleming+
Prattville, Alabama
February 8, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry that we will be unable to come. Love You, Marie
February 7, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss. We have very fond memories of your family when we all lived in Arlington, VA. May God give you strength in this difficult time. Steve & Freida Evans
February 7, 2012
Bob Martin
A friend who wouldn't let you down.
February 7, 2012
D Hardin
We so deeply appreciate his efforts and his beautiful letter of support to our cause. Historians and preservationist lost a great advocate. Keeping you all in prayer.
February 7, 2012
James P. Lynch
I knew Wendell at Auburn where he was a year or two ahead of me. Always a model of courtesy and sincerity. After college our lives diverged and we lost touch. But he was a great guy and I'll never forget him. I treasure his memory.
February 6, 2012
Beth Lakey Springle
It was such an honor to work with Sen. Mitchell as a reporter with The Troy Messenger and, later, with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pike County. He will be missed. The Mitchell family is in my prayers.
February 6, 2012
MANY OF US IN BUTLER COUNTY AND AT THE LURLEEN B. WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, GREENVILLE CAMPUS WILL MISS SENATOR MITCHELL. HE SERVED DISTRICT 30 WELL WHILE HE WAS IN THE ALABAMA SENATE. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY. J.A. THOMPSON, GREENVILLE, AL
February 6, 2012
your family is in our thoughts & prayers also.
February 6, 2012
so sorry for your loss if there is anthing that we can do for ya'll please let us know mr. wendell was a very nice & sweet christian man he will be deeply missed .
February 6, 2012
John Giles
Senator Mitchell:
Until We Meet Again!
John W. Giles
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Funeral services provided by:
Alabama Heritage Funeral Home10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more