Rev. Eric Wilson Mitchell, Sr.
March 12, 1949 – March 8, 2026
Funeral services for Rev. Eric Wilson Mitchell, Sr., 76, of Cairo, GA, are at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at First Free Will Baptist Church, Cairo, GA. Rev. Daryl Owens will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cairo, GA. Rev. Mitchell passed away at home with his loving family at his side on Sunday evening, March 8, 2026. Eric would have celebrated his 77th birthday on Thursday of this week.
Active pallbearers will be Eric Mitchell, Jr., Mitchell Sheffield, Eric Mitchell, III, James Mitchell, Brayden Glenn and Lawrence Glenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Draughon, Jeff Miller and Steve Miller.
Rev. Mitchell was born on March 12, 1949, in Valdosta, GA, to the late Charles H. Mitchell, Sr. and Ruby Mitchell Mitchell. On November 18, 1967, he married Mary Ann Cook Mitchell, who preceded him in death on June 20, 2021. Everyone lovingly knew him and called his Eric. He was a helper and friend to all that knew him. He stayed busy working on his favorite old tractors and restoring those to new life making the machines run smoothly and be productive once more. He loved to share vegetables, fruit and meals with his relatives and church family. His feline cat was always at his side when he was at home or working in the yard and would meet him when he pulled up in his truck. He was the longtime pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church in Cairo.
Survivors include: children, Jenny Lee (Jerry Frugia) of Houston, TX, Elisha Christian Mitchell of Cairo, GA, Toni Lynn King (Chris) of Doerun, GA, Eric Wilson Mitchell, Jr. (Mandy) of Guyton, GA; grandchildren, Ericca Mitchell of Cairo, GA; William Draughon (Chryssi) of Austin, TX, Whitney Glenn (Lawrence) of Hinsonton, GA, Mitchell Sheffield of Jacksonville, FL, Ashley Vickers (Cameron) of Cairo, GA, Eric Mitchell, III, of Guyton, GA, James E. Mitchell of Guyton, GA, Cameron Self (Dustin) of Sylvester, GA, Tyler King of Leesburg, GA; great-grandchildren, Arrebella, Brayden, Elisabeth, Nahla, Analeigh, Jackson, Loki, River, Sydney, Rence; siblings, Ralph Mitchell (Angela) of Cairo, GA, Alma Kincaid of Cairo, GA, Barbara Rash of Panama City, FL, Meddie Baggett (Steve) of Whigham, GA, EW Mitchell of Cairo, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Charles and Ruby Mitchell; his wife, Mary Mitchell; siblings, Charles Mitchell, James Mitchell, Annie Bailey, Rufus Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, Ander Mitchell, Alma Mitchell-Kincaid, Virginia Lancaster, Julia Rogers, Frank Mitchell and Bobby Mitchell.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Mitchell’s memory to: First Freewill Baptist Church, 7th Ave. NE, Cairo, GA.
The family will receive friends at the First Free Will Baptist Church on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
