Robert Eugene Mitchell Sr.

Asheville - Robert Eugene Mitchell, Sr., 73, of 901 Tunnel Road, passed away Monday, September 8, 2008 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired from the US Postal Service following 32 years of government service. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Zephyr Hills Freewill Baptist Church, and was a US Army veteran stationed in Korea. Mr. Mitchell was the son of the late Charles and Edith Thompson Mitchell. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Mitchell; and sisters: Martha Ponther, Linda Morris. Surviving are his wife, Connie Hyatt Mitchell, of the home; son, Robert E. Mitchell, Jr. of Asheville; daughters: Melissa Mitchell of Asheville, Jennifer Blankenship and husband Randy of Candler, and April Nance and husband Chad of Asheville; four grandchildren, all who lovingly called him Poppy: C.J. and Dusty Blankenship, and Mitchell and Will Nance; brothers: Ronald Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, and Alan Mitchell; sister, Sandy McPherson; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Danny Gasperson officiating. Burial will follow in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the MANNA Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805.