Herbert McKinley Mitchell affectionately known as "Big Mitch", was born February 15, 1952, in Enfield, North Carolina, to Erma and McKinley Mitchell.
Herbert attended the Halifax County public schools and joined Daniels Chapel Baptist Church at an early age.

He served in the Army Reserves and later relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he married Dorothy Cousar of Enfield, North Carolina. He was employed at Wyeth Laboratories, where he worked closely with his father for a great number of years. After leaving Wyeth, he was employed as a cook with many restaurants and diners. To anyone who knew" Big Mitch", they knew that his passion was cooking for his family and friends. Herb loved a good game of Scrabble with his family, of which he won the majority of the games.

Herb was a family man; he doted on his children and spoiled his grandchildren with gifts and trinkets. To all of his grandchildren, he was affectionately know as "Pop-Pop"
On the morning of June 25, 2006 as he was preparing for work, Herbert was called to eternal rest. Herbert did not suffer and was in no pain. His parents preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Dorothy of Phila. Penn.;two daughters, Alesia and Tonya of Phila.,Penn.; three sons, Maurice of Phila.,Penn.,; Larry (Fonda) of Raleigh, NC and Ronald of Rocky Mount, NC. Nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, one sister, four brothers, four aunts and four uncles. Mother-in-law Mrs. Laura Silver Cousar of Enfield, NC; four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a devoted and longtime friend, Walter L. Shelly of Phila. Penn

Visitation will be Friday, June 30, 2006 at Lea & Pope Funeral Home 5-7 PM. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 1, 2006 Daniels Chapel Baptist Church 2PM. Burial will be in the Cedar View cemetery Enfield, NC