Boyd Franklin Mitchell

Retired Battalion Chief Boyd Franklin Mitchell (Pop), age 73 of Griffin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his family. Mr. Mitchell was born in Jackson, Georgia on January 15, 1941. He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin F. Mitchell, Jr. and Lorine Boyd Mitchell; sisters, Margaret Bass, Jerri Herrick; brothers James Lanier Mitchell and Donnie Mitchell. After graduating high school in Jackson, Georgia, he was employed by John Rogers Motor Co. in Atlanta, then at Ford Motor Co. in Hapeville. He joined the Griffin Fire Department on November 1, 1967 and advanced through the ranks until becoming Battalion Chief in 1990. He earned certifications in many areas, and for several years taught classes for the Georgia State Firefighter’s Academy. He retired in 1996 with 28 years perfect attendance, during his tenure with the fire department; he was also the property manager for Searcy-Murray Realty until he retired in 2006. He became a member of the Griffin First Church of Nazarene in 1962. Through the years he has served his church in various positions including greeters, bus driver, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, church board member as trustee and many other various committees. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and all of his friends. He especially loved being on a horse and riding the trails with his buddies until his health prevented it. He was also a hugh fan of the Georgia Bulldogs Football. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Rayma Singletary Mitchell; daughters and sons-in-law, Melanie and David Bowen of Griffin, Katherine and Lee Cannon of Griffin; sons and daughters-in-law, Ray Mitchell of Griffin, Brandon and Brandy Mitchell of Oregon, Jonathan and Heather Mitchell of Griffin; granddaughters, Sierra Casey and fiancée Shay Bright, Summer Bowen and fiancée Steven Hubbard, Hannah Mitchell, Karly Williams, Emerson-Kate Mitchell, Megan Cannon; grandsons, Daniel Williams, Jacob Cannon, Tate and Trey Webb-Mitchell, Eric Ransom; one great grandson, Adam Bradley Mitchell; one great granddaughter, Lanier Paige Hubbard; one great grandbaby due in July. His extended family includes, Ken and Mary Fisher, Marisa, Myra, Matthew and Dan Williams. Sisters and brothers-in-law, Debbie Johnson of LaGrange, Teresa Godfrey of Commerce, Mollie and Jim O’Brien of Hartwell, Pam and Keith Martin of Villa Rica; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert E. Mitchell of Atlanta, Johnny and Anita Mitchell of Griffin, Ben and Janice Mitchell of Carrollton, Ricky and Regina Mitchell of Mississippi, Kenneth and Gail Mitchell of Douglasville, George Riley and Suzanne Mitchell of Tennessee, Ronnie and Sandy Mitchell of Meansville; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends. A special thank you to Andi Groover, CNA who was Boyd’s daily ray of bubbly sunshine; Mason Erikson, RN as well as other employees of the Brightmoor Hospice Unit; previous home healthcare providers, Jennifer Groah, RN and Mildred Harris, CNA. Each of you had a special role with his care and with our family during his illness. Visitation for Battalion Chief Boyd Franklin Mitchell (Retired) will be on Thursday, January 23, 2014 and Friday, January 24, 2014 form 6:00pm until 8:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Gordon Tippins, Reverend Rick Foster and Reverend David Ash will officiate. Special speakers will include Dr. Roy Rogers, Reverend Howard Porter, Reverend David O’Neal, Eugene Boyett, Brandon Mitchell, Retired GFD Chief Willie Joe Henley and GFD Chief Tommy Jones. Interment will follow in Westwood Gardens. The family will accept flowers, but prefer donations to the Griffin First Church of Nazarene, 1525 Zebulon Road, Griffin, Georgia, 30224 in memory of Boyd Mitchell.

Boyd Franklin Mitchell

January 15, 1941 - January 16, 2014