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In place of an obituary, the following was provided by his brother, Leonard (Mike) Mitchell, Jr.
Deceased Classmate: Kenneth Wilson Mitchell (Kenny) Class of 1969
Date Of Birth: Sept.-29-1950
Date Deceased: Dec.-20-2020
Age at Death: 70
Cause of Death: Natural causes
Classmate City: Hampton
Classmate State: VA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
Survived By: Daughter, Ginny January, grandchildren, Luciana Marie, Juliana Grace and Tusker. Sister, Sylvia Smythe (Jim), brother, Leonard (Mike) Mitchell Jr. (Wilma). Neices and nephews and greatneices and greatnephew.
We are sad to inform Kenneth W. Mitchell's 1969 Classmates that he passed away on December 20, 2020, in Statesboro, Georgia. He was a trainer for KHS football and basketball teams while he was in high school. His work ethic began when he worked at his parents grocery store, Mithell's grocery on Boxwood Street in Hampton. He graduated from Western Carolina University and was their football and basketball trainer. He taught Technology in Georgia and Virginia. Ken was a great motivator and mentor to his technology students. He took his students to statewide and national Tech Conferences where they won awards.
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Bonnie Bridger (Mittelmaier) (1969)
Kenny was a person that I went to school with from 7th Grade on at Benjamin Syms JHS starting in Fall of 1963. He was always a very kind, nice, and fun person. I find it hard to imagine he is no longer among us even though I haven't seen him in many years. I wish he would have come to some of our reunions, especially the last one which was the best ever! Well, one day we will all be together at a huge reunion in another heavenly space. I am sharing a snippet from our KHS 1969 Annual which says just about everything about Kenny and his dedication and commitment to whomever and whatever he was involved with and in.
Bonnie Bridger Mittelmaier KHS '1969
KHS Faculty Recognizes Fourteen Outstanding Graduates – KHS 1969 Annual, Pages 190/191
Devoted, dedicated service as a manager and trainer of athletic teams has earned for Kenny Mitchell recognition by the faculty in the selection of outstanding seniors. Kenny’s determination to excel as a trainer and to serve his school well, meant many hours of personal sacrifice and training. He attended several clinics and completed numerous correspondence courses on training. In addition he held classes for other Peninsula trainers and passed on his knowledge. No task was too difficult, the hour never too late, or early, for Kenny to contribute unselfishly of his time and energy to the team, the coaches, and the school.
Having known Kenny since 7th grade at Benjamin Syms JHS, I feel certain that Kenny lived this same creed his entire life with such a commitment to all he turned his hand to and to everyone involved. I so wish I would have had the opportunity to meet with him again and share some stories and memories. Rest in eternal peace Kenny, see you again one day I hope. Bonnie
Myrna Collins (Hathaway) (1969)
Kenny's family grocery store was in East Hampton where I grew up. All the neighborhood kids would go there on errands for our parents or most likely penny candy for ourselves! Kenny and I were classmates in several classes at Willis Elementary. He was always a stand up guy and hard worker. God bless his family as they grieve his loss.
Stacey Mills (1969)
I was deeply saddened to learn of Kenny's passing. I knew Kenny from my earliest childhood until we went our separate ways after graduation. His parents ran Mitchell's grocery store, which was less than 100 yards from my house. The store had been originally built and run by my great grandfather, but for as long as I can remember it was "Mitchell's." Kenny was a "charter member" of the East Hampton gang that included Robert Rawls, Roddy McKendree, Paul Roe, Mike Annett and me; all 1969 graduates from KHS. Mitchell's store was often the point of congregation for the group, and Kenny would often drive us to school or to football games in his dad's car. Kenny was always hard working, friendly, and cheerful. I can't remember ever seeing him sad or upset. He was a good friend to all. From time to time I heard about his career and successes, and it was clear that he found his calling and excelled at it. I'm so sorry he didn't make the 50th reunion; everyone would have enjoyed seeing him. Rest in peace old friend.
Stacey (Chuck) Mills, KHS '69
Jeffrey Petterson (1969)
KEN AND I WERE PEERS AS TRAINERS IN THAT HE WAS FAMOUS FOR FOOTBALL AND I SPENT 3 SEASONS WITH THE TRACK TEAM. HE WAS ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST AND MOST POLITE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN. REST WELL, OLD SPORT.
Penelope Black (Brown) (1969)
I too was sorry to hear of Kenny's passing. I've found it interesting to find out how many KHS students were local and not from Ft. Monroe or Langley AFB so knew Kenny for a lot longer than me. I feel a little guilty too as Kenny and I lived not too far apart in Georgia for a long time (I now live in Colorado). We talked on the phone once and talked about getting together but just never did. He was the one who notified me when Michael Horton died. RIP Kenny. Wish you had come to the 50th- we all would have loved seeing you one last time.
Penny Black Brown
Michael Annett (1969)
I drove through Olde East Hampton on South Boxwood Street last week ... one of the few neighborhoods in Hampton that had alley ways behind the homes. Kenny's place faced Pembroke Avenue and Mitchell's store, across from the church, was a meeting place for members of the local Community for over a hundred years. Chuck Mills once told me it was originally built and operated by his Great-Grandfather.It is said the world we live in ... totally changes every five years. Normal people hate change.
I remember the first time I met Kenny in front of the store; he was busy with a broom clearing the front of the store in the spring under the green canopy of the the ancient trees in that neighborhood. He looked up with his broad smile and the red blush that ran across his cheeks and nose. We were friends at first glance ... and the way I will always remember him.
Paul Roe (1969)
I was very saddened to hear of Kenny's passing. For some reason, when it's one of your neighborhood growing up gang, it tends to hit harder. I have known Kenny for, well, as long as I can remember. Me, Rob Rawls, Chuck (Stacey) Mills, Roddy McKendry, Mike Annett, and Kenny. Yes, as friends do, we eventually would go our seperate ways. But until then? We roamed East Hampton and did what young boys did when growing up. We played, we explored, we laughed, we cried, and we shared our dreams and secrets. Kenny's parents owned Mitchell's Grocery Store in East Hampton at the corner of Pembroke and Boxwood. We used to gather there as a meeting place because Kenny usually had work or chores to do before doing anything with his friends. He always seemed happy doing those chores and his never disappearing smile was always there to greet us when we arrived at the store to watch him finish up. Memories? There are many. And they are all good ones. Kenny was a good friend, a loyal friend, and a straight forward, good, all-around person. In December, my sister and I drove to East Hampton for what we called a memory walk. We started where we grew up next to Beany's Soda Shop and walked down to the Church and then across the street to Mitchell's. Mitchell's is now a vacant area next to the alley off Boxwood. As we marvelled at how small the lot looked and tried to envision the old store, I could almost see Kenny coming out the door of the store with his arms full of produce to stack in the sidewalk bins in front of the store. And yes, he was smiling. God speed my friend.
Paul Roe , KHS '69