Joe C. Mitchell

Joe Charles Mitchell, 77 of Fort Sumner, NM died Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Lubbock Heart Hospital in Lubbock, TX following an illness. He was born in Gotebo, Oklahoma to the home of Melvin Leon “Doc” Mitchell and the former Viola Fern Killough. At the age of 7 the Mitchell family moved to Fort Sumner where Joe attended school, graduating in 1953 from Fort Sumner High School. He married Charlene Fambro on July 13, 1954 in Fort Sumner. Joe served two years in the U.S. Army as a Tank Operator. Joe worked for many years as a automotive mechanic and as an electrician. He retired in 1988. Joe was a volunteer with the Fort Sumner Fire Department, the Men’s Bowling League, the Addison Drug Store “Coffee Club” and a member of the First Baptist Church. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, walking, enjoying nature and sports. He is preceded in death by his parents, M.L. “Doc” and Fern Mitchell, and a brother Travis Mitchell. Survivors include his wife of 57 years Charlene Mitchell of the home in Fort Sumner; a daughter Pat and husband Gordon Morris of Melrose, NM; their children Scott and wife Juli Morris of Lubbock, TX; Kimberlee Morris Skinner of Melrose; great-grandchildren Katelynn, Collin, Mikayla and Jaylee of Melrose. A niece raised as a daughter Debbie Jo Tyler and husband Robert of Clovis, NM and their children Glenna, Hope and James and great-grandchildren Kylie, McKinzie and Joshua. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, NM with Rev. Nathan Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Glen Crenshaw, Glen Holland, Frank Martz, Jim Griego, Don Sweet, and J.W. Wilson. Honorary bearers will be all his many dear friends. The family requests memorial contributions to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com