of Conway, AR
May 22, 1946 - May 5, 2009
Dr. Ronald V. Mitchell, 62, of Conway died Tuesday, May 5, after a struggle with cancer. Born May 22, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of the late R. P. and Joan Mitchell of Greenbrier. After retiring from more than 20 years as a Baptist pastor, he spent another two decades as professor of Theoloy and Church History at Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas. Dr. Mitchell was married to the late Donna ''Micki'' Greenway Mitchell for 26 years until her death in 1991, and in 1994 married Esther M. Kershner-Mitchell, who survives her husband. They were married for 15 years.
Other survivors are a daughter, Vicki Lowery, of Batesville; a step-son, Lance Kershner of Singapore; two sisters-Arlyn Gambill of Greenbrier, and Karen Mitchell of Little Rock; a brother-Jurl Mitchell of Greenbrier; five grandchildren-Emily, Jacob, Abigail, and Alaina Lowery of Batesville, and Samantha Kershner of Singapore.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 8, at 2:00 p. m. in Burgess Auditorium in the Cooper Complex at Central Baptist College, Conway, Arkansas. The celebration of Dr. Mitchell's homegoing will be conducted by Bro. Scotty Karber of Batesville. Burial will be in Needs Creek Cemetery at Needs Creek Baptist Church on Hwy. 287, Springhill, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Rick Ingram, Tyronza Conard, Jeff Riddle, Rod Hamby, Steve Raines, and Norman Crass. Honorary pallbearers are Rick Hamby, Joe Hamby, Sam Ashcraft, Maurice Ayres, Dr. Gary McAllister and the members of Needs Creek Baptist Church and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Greenbrier.
Visitation will be at from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Roller McNutt funeral home in Conway. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Baptist College Archives at Central Baptist College in Dr. Mitchell's honor.
I don't know what to say. My prayers are with you. Thank you so much for all the wonderful Christmas we have had at your home. You have shared your sweet family with all of use.
Love,
Vicki
I agree with the comments of Dr. Mitchell's other former students. I have missed him and all the talks we all used to have sitting in his office. I am grateful for his instruction in theology and especially for pointing me to Wayne Grudem's Systematic Thology. My wife and I were perusing it just the other day searching out a doctrinal question.
My condolences to the family now grieving loss the greatest. Your brothers and sisters in the Lord love you, and we all look forward to the day we are all reunited.
Ms Esther, know that you and the family are in our prayers. Know that while we cannot feel your pain we can carry you to the ONE who knows not only your pain but is the balm for that pain. May Our Father bless you and keep you and provide you with understanding hearts and listening ears.
Richard & Sylvia
Miss Arlyn & Bro Jurl & Family we are so sorry so hear of the loss of Bro. Ron. God Bless your family and your work for God. Sincerely, Bonita Holley Howland ( Anns Friend at CBC)
Though Dr. Mitchell's life influenced hundreds of people, one might think that the his time of influence on humanity has passed as he has gone to be with the Lord. However, the lessons I gleaned from his History of Christian Missions as well as Biographies of Missionaries would argue otherwise. His influence continues as those he influenced continue to pour the things he taught into the lives of others. If it is true that the sun never sets on CBC alumni, then it is true that the sun never sets on the continued influence of Dr. Ron Mitchell. The best honor we can give to Dr. Mitchell is to continue to know God through theology and to love him through obedience as he taught us. And may we continue his influence on humanity as we serve those around us by the power of the Spirit and for the glory of Christ.
I am thankful to God for you Dr. Mitchell. You will be missed. I wish I could have been there this week to say goodbye with those who loved you most.
Bro. Ron was more than a mentor, more than a friend. He was a true Brother in Christ with all that expression can possible contain. He honed my love of books. He taught me to love history (especially Baptist History) and to see within it God's evident hand moving not only through the ages, but through our lives. He taught me that there was so much more to Theology than just what I had learned in Sunday School. Throughout history there have been great groups of Three. My years at CBC added three great pillars of support to my life - Dr. Thomas, Dr. Slayton and my dear friend Dr. Mitchell. He taught me so much, but the greatest thing he taught me was how important it is to learn and then to teach. And on top of it all he gave me his friendship. I will miss him so much.
Mrs Ester, may God bless you and please know that you and all Bro. Ron's family is in my prayers.
Vicki,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. You're dad touched many lives and no doubt he will be greatly missed.
Dear Esther and family;
I am so sorry to hear about your husband Ron. May the GOD of all comfort continually wrap HIS arms around you like a warm blanket. In JESUS name.
(Larkin's oldest daughter)
Bro. Jurl and Mary Ann, We did not know your brother, but we know he was a man of God for many years, and he will be missed by many. I (Betty Lou) lost my brother on August 3 of last year. He lived next door to us. Your brother passed away on what would have been my brother's 70th birthday. Now, I am the only one left of my little immediate family. Charles was my only sibling. We have the blessed assurance that we will see our brothers again. With love and prayers,
Dr. Mitchell was a wonder Christian man. May God bless & guide you.
Dr. Mitchell was a wonderful teacher, a greater friend, and a man that devoted his whole life to his wife, family, the Lord, and teaching the Word of God. What a legacy! He stood tall in a fallen world and now is at home with his Father. The world is a little sadder with his passing. My prayer is for God's grace to help us through this very difficult time. He will be greatly missed.
We were so sorry to hear about Bro. Ron. Our hearts are sad for you and we will continue to pray for your entire family. This is a loss we will never understand this side of heaven.
Miss Esther and family,
Words fail me. We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Ron's passing. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love you.
Kyla, Tim, Zac and Bekah
Chad & I loved Bro. Ron in so many ways, a challenging teacher, a wonderful friend, a man you could always ask advice to and know you were getting true godly advice. We will cherrish all the memories from Chad working under him as his youth pastor, to preaching his ordination service, a double date with he & Mrs. Esther & the most presious to me is when they came to our home when our daughter was born to see her. He called her Rhonda! ha and said "I told you to name her after me" so funny he even wrote this in her Baby book. I loved being in his office with Chad,. Oh if those walls could talk. We love you his family and long for the day we will see him again.
Dr. Mitchell (Doc) was a godly man who lived what he believed and surrendered himself to be used of the Lord. He was wonderful to have as a professor and advisor and will be deeply missed. My prayers are with his family that he loved so much.
To "Little" Esther, Vicki and families:
We are so sorry for your loss. We really enjoyed visiting with Ron at the Goodson family reunions, which is where we did get fully acquainted. He was a very caring person and a blessing to our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Mitchell's family. May the blessings of the Lord be with you.
Phil & Jennifer (Swisher) Morrow
CBC '92
We both were saddened to hear of Dr. Mitchell's passing. Angels are rejoycing but our hearts are saddened. We both were blessed to have Dr. Mitchell for a teacher and are better for knowing him.
Jason & Lucinda Munnerlyn
Thank you Dr. M for being an inspiring professor. You opened my eye to many topics that I never considered. I will see you in heaven one day!
Dr. Mitchell was more than a teacher. He was a great friend and mentor. He made CBC a home away from home. I will keep his family in my prayers.
We love you all, and our prayers are with you. You know he is in a far far better place than we are.
God Bless you all.
One of the most passionate people I've ever known.
I had Dr. Mitchell for Old and New Testament classes at CBC. He taught his classes with such passion and made sure you came away from them with great knowledge. He was truly a wonderful and Godly man and will be greatly missed.
We were saddened to learn of Ron's passing. Our warmest sympathy to all who knew him and loved him.
Letta, Ruth and family
Ms. Esther,
I did not know your husband, but he sounds like he was a wonderful man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dr. Mitchell was used by God in the years that he taught me. I will miss you Dr. Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell taught me what pursuing after God really means. He was a man of wisdom, self-discipline, and love. Through the years at CBC I always remember his open door and the freedom I felt to walk in and chat a while about any questions I had. Today I am working full-time in a ministry with college students and because of some of the things Dr. Mitchell taught me I am a better person to do what God has called me to. Thank you all of the family for allowing all of us the chance to have our lives changed by this man. We will never be the same and praise the Lord for that!!
Miss Esther,
Dr. Mitchell always referred to you as his queen. He spoke very lovingly of you. He inspired me while I was the faculty secretary to study God's word further and to think things out for myself and not take other people's word for what the Bible said. He will be missed.
Miss Esther and family, It has been my humble pleasure to serve at CBC with such a distinguished professor as Dr. Mitchell. I respect and admire all the years of service he performed for our Lord. Words can not express how much he will be missed on our campus.
Deb Wade
Our hearts are saddened by the passing of Bro. Ron. At the same we are happy because he is in a better place and worshiping the God he loved and taught about with such enthusiasm. He was a wonderful pastor, teacher, and friend to us. I will never forget the time I picked Bro. Ron up at the airport to start his pastorate with us. I had our then 5-year old daughter with me. Bro. Ron kept trying to get her to talk to him. She would not respond to him. She had told us earlier that she was not going to love any body else because they always left her; but Bro. Ron with his loving personality and Micki's sweet spirit won her over and 20 years later, Bro. Ron performed her marriage ceremony. So many memories we have of time spent with the family. We will cherish them always.
We love you Esther, Vicki, and the rest of the family.
Lloyd and Charlotte Digby
Dr. Mitchell impacted my life as no other professor at CBC did. He was always there to listen and he taught with such passion and commitment. I still have all his notes and use them whenever I can. I was intimidated being a girl in the Bible department but Dr. Ron always treated every student equally. He taught me to not be afraid to stand up for what I believe in and through his classes and his mentoring outside of class I learned confidence for who I was in Jesus Christ. I also learned humility. After I met my husband and we started dating Dr. Mitchell took us both under his wing in a special way. We were so blessed when he agreed to do our marriage counseling. My husband and I are forever thankful for those words of wisdom he imparted to us as preparation for our journey together. Dr. Mitchell was a great teacher and a dear friend to my husband and I. We will miss him greatly. God Bless you, Ms. Esther and your family. May God's amazing grace and loving hand give you strength for the days ahead.
In Christ,
Kelly Cox
We did not know Mr. Ron personally even though we felt like we did through his sister Karen and Bro. Tom. We attend their church and we love hearing about Mr. Ron and and his great faith and strength he had all through his time of illness. It seems that he was such a inspiration to everyone around him even people he didn't know like us. We do know He will truly be missed by family and friends , but isn't it so good to know he is sheltered in the arms of God and all is well.
Our prayers and condolences are with you all.
I will always treasure the time spent in Doc's classes and the passion with which he encouraged us to deepen our walk with God.
However, I learned more sitting on the couch in his office discussing theology, being corrected, and kneeling on his floor to pray together.
My entire family now has the joy of camping together because of the trip Doc invited me on. Thanks!
Miss Esther and family, you are in our prayers.
We love you Mrs.Ester.
Mrs. Esther, Lance and the Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Ron was a great man of God and will be truly missed by all. My prayers are with you all in this time of loss in your life. May God be with you and take care of you in this time.
With deepest love and prayers!
Delaina Ashcraft Splawn
Dr. Mitchell was a wonderful teacher, became a mentor, and loved me like a friend. I loved him as well; he truly ministered to me through his teaching, rebuke, and training. I will miss him very much.
Mrs. Esther and all the family,
Bro Ron was so special to so many of us...Please know that I am thinking of you.
Ms. Esther,
May God hold you and yours in His loving arms during this time. What a legacy he has left. Love, M
Mrs. Esther & Family,
What a testimony & legacy has been imparted by Dr. Mitchell. God bless! All our love and prayers.
We have lost a giant among men, but he is now with the Lord he loved so much.
The greatest thing I could say about Doc was, he was my friend, I will miss him so. I am grateful for every moment we spent together. It didn't matter if we were talking about our rare books, old clocks, church history or theology, they are all precious to me.
To Esther, Vicki, Lance and the rest of the family...he loved you deeply and talked of you often. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May the peace of our Lord be with you and your family through this time of mourning. Dr. Mitchell will be greatly missed.
Shane & Ursula Westmoreland
Lauren, Lexi, Lars, Leif, and Lela Belle Westmoreland
I am a better man because of this man's service to the Lord and how it affected my life. My heart mourns as he leaves us, but it also rejoices in knowing he has entered eternity with his Beloved Savior.
Words fail to describe what Dr. Mitchell meant to me. He was my favorite teacher. It's not so much that I remember a huge amount of what he taught me about God as much as it is that I remember the passion with which he taught me about God. He presented me with a God so big that I struggled to get my mind around him. I enjoyed the beauty of learning that I had a lot to learn. My wife, Kristel, loved his Christian Doctrine Class. I will never forget surprising her and taking her to Petite jean to propose. Five minutes after I proposed she said, "If we hurry I can make it back to Dr. Mitchell's theology class". Ha! That is when you know a girl enjoys a class. If it had not been for him I never would have went on to get my Masters Degree. If it had not been for him I would not have a desire to take my youth that I teach deeper into the word of God. The list could go on and on. I will treasure what he taught me about our great God and I will treasure the four wheeler camping trip I got to go on with him.
Thanks Doc for allowing God to use you in my life. The impact you have made in the lives of your students will ripple throughout eternity in ways we can't possibly imagine right now.
Esther and family, Bro Ron was a special friend to me and my family. My dad (Bro. Kenneth) thought so much of him and now they can laugh and talk about the great times they had together. Just remember he is not in any pain now and he's worshipping the Lord that he preached about on this earth. A great man and a very loving man. I will always have fond memories of Bro. Ron. We love you.
I am so sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for your loss. We have your family in our prayers.
A great man of God, who had a great passion for God. He loved Jesus Christ, and that was evident in the way he taught us-about the Bible, and about life.
We Just saw Ron & Esther last May @ our cousins reunion. We had a wonderful visit, and , Ron was so full of life and joy. It's hard to believe he's gone. We know where you're at Ron, save us a place! Love & prayers to Esther and family.
He taught us to love books, to love theology, and most of all to love Jesus. I am forever indebted to this servant of the Lord.
Thanking God for Dr. Mitchell's great ministry in my life.
~Aaron Wilson
CBC '98
My heart goes out to you Esther and the rest of the family. I will always remember the first time I laid eyes on Ron. It was in Latona and he was working on an old pickup truck. He went swimming with us at the bluff hole and we became instant friends. The last two times I saw him I felt a new and deeper connection with him. I'm glad his suffering is over. I will miss him.
Blessings and peace to you all,
David
My heart is saddened to learn of Brother Ron's death. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.