Wm. Edward Mitchell

Inman, SC---Mr. William Edward "Ed" Mitchell, 86, of 151 Grandview Drive passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 at the Smith Phayer Hospice House in Landrum.

Born in Fairforest, SC on January 29, 1924, he was the son of the late John Victor and "Mamie" (Poteat) Mitchell and was the loving husband of Faye Collins Mitchell having celebrated 28 years of marriage, but was first married to Eddy's mother, the late Mrs. Catherine Turner Mitchell.

He was a faithful member of Holston Creek Baptist Church and was a member of the Men's Class 4 Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Inman Masonic Lodge #201, AFM, and the Hejaz Shrine Temple in Greenville. Ed served in the U.S. Navy in WWII aboard the USS Chase and received the Purple Heart for injuries received while engaged in landing the first American troops on Okinawa. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and throughly enjoyed tailgating at Clemson Football games with his grandchildren.

After military service and 14 years in site built construction, Ed entered the industry in 1960 by opening Circle Mobile Homes in Spartanburg. He believed customers deserved a better built, higher quality home that he was able to provide as a retailer. Unable to find such a product, he decided to build his own. In January, of 1965 he founded Mascot Homes Inc. which closed in 2008. He was also one of the founders of the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina, and has served in every office in the association, including the position of chairman. Mr. Mitchell was elected to the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 1999 becoming the second South Carolinian to be so honored. He also served on the Board of Directors at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center from 1983 until 1990 and was a former South Carolina State Highway Commissioner and served on the Board at Limestone College from 1992-1996.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, James Edward "Eddy" Mitchell and his wife Betty of Inman; step-daughter, Gina Faye Holcomb and her husband Ken of Boiling Springs; step-son Phillip Charles Stevens and his wife Lynn of Inman; step-daughter, Ann Ragan and her husband Thomas of Inman; nine grandchildren, Billy Mitchell, Pam Owens, Corey Holcomb, Elizabeth Holcomb, Nicholas Holcomb, Taylor Stevens, Kendall Stevens, Tom Ragan and Angela Bellany , three great-grandson, William Edward Mitchell, II, Cason Owens and Camden Owens; one sister, Catherine DeLapp of Reidsville, NC and two sister-in-laws, Lucille Mitchell of Spartanburg and Patricia Mitchell of Inman and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Mr. Mitchell is also survived by his dearest friend that he considered a son, Steve Barnwell and his wife Nancy of Inman and long time friend Connie Jackson of Inman and his beloved "Hammie". He was predeceased by two brothers Paul Earl Mitchell and John Mitchell; two sisters, Ann McBride and Ruth Moore and two great granddaughters, Carlyn Aleece Mitchell and Chelsey Michelle Mitchell.

There will be two visitations for Mr. Mitchell. The first visitation will be on Wednesday, March 24, from 6:00 until 8:30PM at Seawright Funeral Home. The second visitation will be held on Thursday, March 25 from 2:00 until 3:45PM at Holston Creek Baptist Church. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Holston Creek Baptist Church at 4:00 PM with Rev. Reggie Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the Holston Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Military Honors. Honorary Escorts will be the Men's Class 4 Sunday School Class and all former employees of Mascot Homes, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to : Holston Creek Baptist Church "New Sanctuary" Building Fund, 311 Holston Creek Church Road, Inman, SC 29349.
The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. David Ike, Dr. Chris Caston, Dr. Rowena Desailly-Chanson and Dr. Imran Shaikh and all the Nurses and CNA at Camp Care in Inman and the Smith Phayer Hospice House in Landrum.
The family is at the home.