John Edward Mitchell Sr.
December 26, 1931 - June 28, 2021

Bishop John Edward Mitchell Sr, 89, passed away Monday June 27, 2021. John was born on December 26, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Reverend Charles and Hazel Mitchell. John's wife of 45 years, Mary Ruth Mitchell, passed away February 10, 1998. John is survived by his brothers George Mitchell and Clyde Mitchell, his brother Charles has transitioned; his children Hazel Mitchell, John Edward Mitchell Jr. (spouse Yvonne Mitchell) Deborah Mitchell-Wade (spouse Kenneth Wade) , LaVerna Mitchell and April Flowers; his grandchildren James Lamont Allen, Quincy Allen, Derrick Allen, DeMarques Mitchell, Nitascha Mitchell, Jalisa Mitchell, Jennifer Robinson, Julian Walker, Shawnell Tyler-Walker, Mary Tyler, Rhianna Richards, Devon Richards, Misty Flowers, Kethura Swoteck, and Rhea Flowers; his 39 Grand Children, Great Grand Children, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, numerous loving friends and ministerial associates.
John was, first and foremost, a loving husband and father, grandfather, great grand father, surrogate father, uncle and brother. He served his country as a member of the United States Army. He spent his childhood years growing up in Detroit Michigan and got his early Christian training in the Methodist Church. He spent his teenage and young adult years in Columbia Missouri with his Aunt Ethel Miller and three cousins Mabel, Cannie and Albert George (aka AG). It was there in Columbia where he met his wife Mary Ruth Payne. His wife and her parents Shelby and Ocie Payne introduced him to Pentecostalism and the Church of God in Christ Congregational. It was in Columbia where the call of God on his life began to emerge. John and Mary were married and moved to Omaha Nebraska in the 1950's in search of the Plan of God, American Dream and to begin their family. Upon arriving to Omaha John found employment in the meat packing houses that were a booming at that time. It did not take long for John to realize that he did not want to pursue a career in the meat packing industry. He got another job as a janitor at Vickers Incorporated, a major manufacturing company. At Vickers, John worked his way up through the ranks from a janitor to a management position as Foreman. He served Vickers for 38 years and retired with distinction and respect. Simultaneously while working a secular job, John was ordained as Pastor of the Church of God in Christ Congregational in South Omaha. After many years of ministry service he was elevated by the leadership of Church of God In Christ Congregational as Overseer (synonymous for Bishop) for the state of Nebraska. In the 1980s Bishop John E. Mitchell Sr. was led to establish and independent church under the name of Shiloh Christian Worship Center. It was birth in his home and soon took residence in an old peanut factory building that was renovated into a church where it remains today. Bishop John E. Mitchell's ministry expanded into the Missions field where he traveled the United States, Mexico and Africa. Last but not least, he had a cherished weekly ministry at the Omaha local jail where he impacted the lives of many men with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered he said, "That I lived the life I loved and loved the life I lived!


Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Victory Church, 6330 N. 56th Street. Visitation 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, July 2, 2021 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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