Herbert Mitchell

Herbert L. Mitchell, son of Walter Raleigh and Lillie Williforce Mitchell, was born October 10, 1914, in Aulander, North Carolina. When Herbert was six months of age, his mother to Herbert. Herbert’s father remarried and his bride the former Henrietta Whitfield became a wonderful mother to Herbert. Even after her passing, Herbert remembered her affectionately and during his last illness, he often spoke of her.Herbert grew up and was educated in North Carolina. He attended the Aulander Baptist Church where he was baptized at an early age.In 1935, He moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Here he met his wife, the former Bernetta Brooks and they were married on December 27, 1937. The first marriage ended in divorce. During the interval between his marriages to Bernetta, Herbert married the former Mary Jackson. Of this union, a devoted daughter, Beatrice Thomas-Ward was born. This union ended in divorce, but Herbert and his daughter maintained a close and loving relationship throughout the years.On February 5, 1967, Herbert and Bernetta remarried and enjoyed life together as a devoted couple. Together they attended Central Baptist Church. Herbert was involved in the music ministry, sang with the male chorus, and also attended Church School. Bernetta was a religious educator, serving as both Church schoolteacher and Superintendent of the Church School.Herbert was employed as a manager by the ARA Food Service. He took a great deal of pride in his work and is fondly remembered by former co-workers. Herbert retired from ARA in 1983 and has a number of achievement certificates and a clock, which were awarded him during his tenure.Herbert was a conscientious and dedicated member of his church, his community, and his place of employment. In recognition of the service he rendered, he received numerous certificates and awards. Among the organizations from which he received recognition were the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the Help Hospital Veterans organization, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Church School of Central Baptist Church, the Maryland Baptist Conference on Christian Education, the National Coalition on Aging, and many other community organizations.Herbert always showed concern for his family members. Since he was the third oldest of the ten children in the family, his siblings looked up to him and he didn’t disappoint them. His parents, three of his sisters, Pearl, Doris and Christine, and two of his brothers, Detroit and Joseph preceded him in death. Herbert was greatly saddened by these losses. The family remembers the kind and gentle care he gave to Detroit during his brother’s last illness.Herbert enjoyed many activities. He was a true blue baseball fan. He faithfully watched all of the Orioles games on television and enjoyed talking about the sport. Music was another one of Herbert’s sources of enjoyment. He loved singing in a deep bass voice on choirs and in quartets. Even when meeting for prayer in the homes of family members, he could be heard singing the great hymns of the church.Cherished memories of Herbert will live on in the lives of his devoted wife, Bernetta; his devoted daughter, Beatrice Ward and son-in-law, James; two brothers, Nathaniel Mitchell and Walter Mitchell; two sisters, Lucy Harris and Margaret Flemming; three brothers-in-law, Theodore Stanley, Theodore Harris, and David Young; four sisters-in-law, Margaret and Jo-Anne Mitchell, Myrtle Stanley and Ruth Young; three grandchildren, Herbert and Ronald Jackson and Jacqueline Anderson, three great-grandchildren; Ebony Jackson, Ayanna Green, and Melvin Watson; six great-great grandchildren, and two devoted godchildren, Deon Johnson and Shirley David; a host of many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Herbert Mitchell

October 10, 1914 - January 28, 2003