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SKIPPERS – James N. (Jimmy) Mitchell, 90 of Skippers, Virginia went to his heavenly home Sept. 15, 2024. He was born in Skippers to George (G.J.) and Mary Goodfellow Mitchell on Sept. 26, 1933. He was predeceased by the love of his life Joyce Pittman; his parents; two brothers, Tom, Billy and two sisters, Shirley Barrows and Audrey Owens Duke. He enlisted in the Army on August 6th of 1953 where he served for three years and was discharged at 3 a.m. on June 6 of 1956.

He was very proud of his service. He then met the love of his life and they married in October 23, 2024. He worked in some capacity of the Forest Industry and Forest Machinery all of his life. He began harvesting pulpwood with his father and grandfather at an early age.

He accepted a job at Franklin Equipment 1964. With a wife and three kids he moved to Franklin to begin his career. He developed, engineered and demonstrated machinery for them where he traveled to every state except Alaska and visited 60 countries during his employment there. He also worked at Omark Industries out of Owantonna, Minnesota in the same capacity b

efore retiring in 1989.

He then built a saw tooth business working at a shop behind his home whereas Niel worked side by side with him. He worked daily up until three months before his death. They have customers all over the United States. He always took pride in his work and made a multitude of friends everywhere he went.

He is survived by two sons, Niel and his wife Tracy of Skippers, Bill and his wife Wendy of Athens, Alabama and a daughter, Susan and her husband Jesse of Purdy; eight grandchildren, Amy Wright (Chad), Anya Herbert (Julie), Billy Herbert, Tadd Mitchell (Ashley), Heather Ingrum (Zach), Sheree (Lance), Sandra Minocello and Brandy Payne (Michael); 11 great-grandchildren; Blaire Short (Nick), Noah Wright (Sabrina), Bradley Wood (Braille), Seth Mitchell (Macie), Parker Mitchell, Z.D., Mitchell and Sarah Kate Ingrum, Drake and Avery Minocello and McKenzie and Eva Payne; four great-great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Peyton, Tilly Wright, Bobby Luke Short and one arriving in December. A visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Echols Funeral Home in Emporia. The funeral will be on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. at Spring United Methodist Church of Skippers with Pastors Bob Clyde and Bobby Griles officiating.

Online condolences may be made to www.echolsfuneralhome.com