David Elijah Mitchell, affectionately known as "Doc," 65, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Beacon Place Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, North Carolina following a brief illness. He was born to the late Ida and John Mitchell on April 26, 1951, and was a native of the same city where he also attended Greensboro City Schools.

At a very early age David joined Mount Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church along with his family that he so dearly loved. It is no secret that in his formative years David faced many tough battles. It is also no secret that throughout his entire life God kept him, held him close, and loved him dearly. God kept his hand on David's life and he was blessed to join Power House of Deliverance
Ministries of Greensboro.

In his youth David was a diehard fan of Greensboro's very own baseball team, the Greensboro Yankees. His interest in this pastime sport sparked success in landing his first job with the team as a bat-boy at the Greensboro World War Memorial Stadium. It is here where he picked up the nickname that stuck with him for the remainder of his life.

Later David was employed as a short order cook at the Frank House on Old Market Street. He was a soft spoken man of few words and while he may not have said much his smile told it all. It was a smile that could light up a room. His affection for the old neighborhood brought him endlessly back to work and care for the village that raised him which was an effort he held as a badge of honor. You could look up at any given moment and David was there to check on you—with that smile. But none could ever underestimate the soft tone and smile because David was undeniably a protector to his family.

As his health began to decline David moved to the Winston-Salem Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He spent eight years there before his family aided his move to Beacon Place on March 19th. In the remaining days of his life David was surrounded by family—with that smile.

David leaves to cherish his memories two sisters, Barbara Greene and Hortense "Gail" Richmond; nieces, Tina Mitchell, Robin Daye, Bonita Hargett (Nate), Cindy R. Terry (Don); nephews, James Mitchell, Franklin Richmond Jr., and DeAndre Richmond; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Goldie Hargett Memorial Chapel, 905 E. Market Street, Greensboro. Visitation with the family starts at 12:00 pm followed by the service at 12:30 pm. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens.