Melvin Addie Mitchell, Jr.

Melvin Addie Mitchell, Jr., 90, of Forest, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024. He was the husband of Shirley White Mitchell for over 67 years. 

Melvin was born December 12, 1933, in Bedford County, Virginia, a son of the late Melvin Addie Mitchell, Sr. and Evelyn Cochran Mitchell. Melvin was a 1951 graduate of New London Academy, a 1955 graduate of Lynchburg College with double degrees in Math and Biology, and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. He retired from B&W after 34 years, where he worked as a Quality Control Engineer. He was especially known for his excellent skills as a taxidermist and was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church. 

In 1948, at the age of 15, he started taxidermy and used it to pay his way through college. He was a member of the National Taxidermy Association, and a founding member of the Virginia Taxidermists Association where he was President and then Executive Director for many years. Melvin was a charter member of the Bedford Outdoor Sportsman Association, a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Turkey Federation, and many more organizations that benefit wildlife. He enjoyed using his taxidermy to educate people about wildlife and conservation, especially children. He retired from taxidermy after 66 years. 

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Warwick Mitchell and Haden Mitchell, and a grandson Adam Artman. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two daughters - Mari Lynn Artman (Tom) and Martha Mitchell Chimitt (David), four grandchildren - Sarah Lynn Artman, Olivia Kay Artman, Elizabeth Chimitt Kirby (Joseph), Matthew Mitchell Chimitt, and many great hunting and fishing buddies. 

The family would like to especially thank the staff of Runk & Pratt at Forest and Seven Hills Hospice for all of the kindness shown to Melvin and the family.

Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Mountain View Church, 1077 Viewpoint Lane in Forest. A Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Monty Fox officiating. Interment will follow at Virginia Memorial Park.

Please consider memorial contributions to Bedford Outdoor Sportsman Association, Inc. (BOSA) 1099 Arrington Way, Bedford, VA 24523 or Hunters for the Hungry, 1108 Sedalia School Rd, Big Island, VA 24526. 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.