Leonard K. Mitchell, age 81, a lifelong resident of Brent, Alabama passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023. He was born to William Jodie Mitchell and Eula Ann Mitchell, the middle of thirteen children. He served in the US Army and got to travel to several countries. Later he married Mary Louise Gilliland and they built their family together. He served as a preacher after her passing at Pine Flat Baptist Church and as a guest pastor at Old Union Baptist Church. He was a plain-spoken, outgoing jokester. He enjoyed coon hunting, squirrel hunting, playing guitar and going to bluegrass gospel singings. He made sure to call those he loved and sing “Happy Birthday” to them. He especially loved being Paw Paw to his grandchildren, and “Old Paw Paw” and “Little Paw Paw” to his great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Mitchell; son-inlaw, Garry Price; daughterin- law, April Cox Milan; and siblings, Clifton Mitchell, William Mitchell, Mattie Skinner, Robert Mitchell, and Mary Earnest. He is survived by his children, Jackie Paul Milan (Jana Ho), JoAnn Carter (Donald), Frances Price and Sara Brasher (Dewayne); fifteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, David Mitchell; sisters, Betty Angel, Faye Miley, Annie Mae Matthews, Hazel Wilkerson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held at Pine Flat Baptist Church in Moundville, Alabama on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 1:00 PM, with visitation to begin at the church at 12:00 PM.
Leonard was laid to rest in Kinard Mathis Cemetery, Payne Lake Road, Hwy 25, Brent, Alabama. Serving as pallbearers were Justin Price, Brantley Price, Joshua Milan, Austin Brasher, Brady Martin, and Nick Weldon. Honorary pallbearers are Daniel Barnett, Dwight Mitchell and Taylor Dagnan.
