Ron Mitchell, CBC Professor, dies

Dr. Ronald V. Mitchell, 62, of Conway, died May 5 after a long battle with cancer.

He was saved in 1956, surrendered to the ministry in 1966 and pastored several churches, including: Sulphur Springs at Quitman, Letona at Letona, Twentieth Street in Batesville, Oak Grove in North Little Rock, Central at Texarkana and Needs Creek at Greenbrier. He also pastored Parkwood in Pasedena, Tex.; and Cedarwood in Memphis, Tenn. where he served as a state missionary and founded the church. At the time of his death, he was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Greenbrier.

He was a graduate of Central Baptist College and received a BSE degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and M.Div., Th.D. in church history from Mid-America Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn.

He retired after serving 20 years as a pastor, then spent another two decades as professor of Theology and Church History at Central Baptist College. “He has been more than a teacher,” said President Terry Kimbrow, “he has served as a mentor to  countless young men and women over the years.”

The archives at CBC was named in his honor last December — Dr. Ronald V. Mitchell Archives. While unveiling the restored Old Main Spire two months earlier, President Kimbrow said, “It has been Dr.  Mitchell’s dream to create an archive at CBC… that dream is quickly becoming a reality as Dr. Mitchell prepares and organizes items in the new archives.”

Although he was not able to complete the project, and the archives is not officially opened, President Kimbrow has vowed that “it will continue… I am committed to it.” Dr. Mitchell’s brotherin- law, Tom Mitchell (pastor of Chenal Valley in Little Rock) will pick up Dr. Mitchell’s mantle and assume the duties of director of the archives.

Dr. Mitchell was married to the late Donna “Micki” Greenway Mitchell for 26 years until her death in 1991, and in 1994 he married Esther M. Kershner- Mitchell, who survives her husband. Other survivors include a daughter, Vicki Lowery, of Batesville; a step-son, Lance Kershner of Singapore; two sisters, Mrs. Eugene (Arlyn) Gambill of Greenbrier, and Mrs. Tom (Karen) Mitchell of Little Rock; a brother, BMA  Minister Jurl (Mary Ann) Mitchell of Greenbrier; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Funeral services will be held May 8, at 2 p.m. in Burgess Auditorium in the Cooper Complex at Central Baptist College, led by Scotty Karber of Batesville. Interment will be in Needs Creek Cemetery at Needs Creek Baptist Church under the direction of Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.

Pallbearers will be Rick Ingram, Tyronza Conard, Jeff Riddle, Rod Hamby, Steve Raines, and Norman Crass.  Honorary pallbearers are Rick Hamby, Joe Hamby, Sam Ashcraft, Maurice Ayres, Dr. Gary McAllister and members of the Needs Creek Baptist Church and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Greenbrier.     

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Ronald V. Mitchell Archives, Central Baptist College, 1501 College Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034.