Walter Oris Mitchell

Walter Oris Mitchell, 96, of Albany, GA departed this life on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He had been living in Warner Robins, GA with his sister, Josephine, for the last 5 ½ years. He passed away at Peachbelt Health and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 17, 2012 in the chapel of Mathews Funeral Home with interment following at Floral Memory Gardens. Rev. Paul Cowles of Friendship Baptist Church will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, February 16, 2012, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.

Oris was born March 29, 1915, in Turner County, Ashburn, GA to the late Nancy Susan Spillers Mitchell and Walter Louis Mitchell. He spent much of his life providing for his elderly parents and his sister, Nettie. He lived most of his life in Albany, GA, where he was widely known as a produce salesman. He bought and sold fresh fruit and produce from Florida to the Carolinas and west to Texas. He was especially known for his watermelons and sweet potatoes. For many years he was a provider of produce to Harvey's Grocery Stores. His father, Walter, was a good friend of John Harvey, who started Harvey's.

He was preceded in death by his special sister, Nettie Bell Mitchell, and two siblings J. T. Mitchell and Eula Mae Mitchell who died in infancy. He was also preceded in death by two special nephews, John David Lewis and Johnny Ray Southwell, and his lifelong friend "Miss Ocie". Survivors include five sisters, Mattie Florence Rutherford, Valdosta, GA; Mary Julia Dupree, Leesburg, GA; Grace Pauline Southwell, Americus, GA; Janie Susan Burgess (Curtis), Albany, GA; and Josephine Simpson, Warner Robins, GA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was very much loved by his sisters and his nieces and nephews, and he will be greatly missed.

Those who so desire may make memorial contributions to Friendship Baptist Church, 1322 Feagin Mill Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088.