Ronald (Ron) René Mitchell, M.S, LPC, NCC and longtime local psychotherapist, lost his brief battle with cancer on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Hospice Ministries, Inc. in Ridgeland, MS.
Ron was born on March 2, 1944 in Picayune, MS to Florence Augusta (Gussie) Bailey Mitchell and Joseph Asheal Mitchell. He had one sister, Rhonda Mitchell McCraney, who preceded him in death.
Ron received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry in 1966 from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. He returned to Mississippi College two decades later to complete his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy in 1993.
Ron met Diane Williamson, his college sweetheart, at Mississippi College. They were married after graduation in 1966. On August 6, 2018, they celebrated 52 years of marriage.
After a career in teaching and coaching and a three-year stint playing semi-professional football in the Dixie Football League in Augusta, GA, Ron worked in the business arena for a number of years. In 1995, he began his last career as a marriage and family therapist. In addition to membership in the Gideons Association, Ron was a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson for 43 years.
In January 2018, after receiving a diagnosis of cancer, Ron retired from practice. The many lives that he touched over the years may never be known, but what is known was his philosophy that the state of good mental health is dependent on one looking into the mirrors of life and liking the person in the reflection, as well as taking responsibility for one’s actions and accepting the consequences of the choices we make.
Ron leaves behind his wife Diane; son Chad and wife Kendall of Ridgeland, MS; son Erik and wife Annie of Wellford, SC; grandsons Alden Mitchell and Everett Mitchell of Nashville, TN; and granddaughter AnnaBelle Grace and grandson Mayes Mitchell of Ridgeland, MS; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at The Way Church (formerly Church of the Northshore), 498 N. Shore Parkway, Brandon, MS, 39047 across from Station 3, Reservoir Fire Department. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., with a Celebration of Life Service held immediately following at 2 p.m. Graveside service will be held afterward in the cemetery of First Baptist Church of Fannin, MS. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is entrusted with all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 1465, Picayune, MS 39466 or by calling 1-866-382-4253.
