Carlton Turner Mitchell

Dr. Carlton Turner Mitchell, 92, died January 30, 2013 at Salemtowne Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the son of Lester and Annie Mitchell and was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 27, 1920. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Miriam Sexton Mitchell; his son, John Robert Mitchell; and a sister, Gwen Russell. He is survived by two daughters, Grace Mitchell of Cornelius, N.C. and Betty Morgan and husband Vance of Natick, MA, grandchildren, David Morgan and wife Amy, Mitch Morgan, Lauren Pavlis and husband Tim, David Escott, two great-grand children and special friend and companion in recent years, Anne Adkins. Dr. Mitchell was Professor Emeritus at Wake Forest University, specializing in American church history, religious education and psychology of religion. He received degrees from Campbell University, Wake Forest University, Yale University, Union Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from New York University. During his career, he served as associate, interim and pastor of more than 40 churches in North Carolina, Missouri and New Jersey, retiring as pastor of Westview Baptist Church in 2008. He also served an additional 200 churches in capacities ranging from consultant, lecturer, supply minister, study course teacher, seminar leader, and spiritual development director. A retired commander in the Navy Chaplain Corps, he served as Chaplain for the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets and for the Marines in Korea. In 1961, he joined the faculty of the Religion Department at Wake Forest University, his alma mater, where he was captain of the basketball team in 1943. He served in numerous capacities at Wake Forest including Chair of the Religion Department, Director of Graduate Studies in Religion, state president for the American Association of University Professors and Chair of the Wake Forest University Alumni Half Century Club. In addition to editing several books and publications, he wrote many articles on American religious life, denominational affairs and other topics related to religion. Dr. Mitchell received many honors throughout his life for both his numerous civic and professional contributions. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1996 and the Presidential Medallion Award from Campbell University and the Cuthbert E. Allen Ecumenism Award by the Ecumenical Institute at Belmont Abbey College. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He enthusiastically embraced every opportunity to be with people, especially on the golf course. He was well-known for his skills as an effective problem-solver, always working in behalf of others to make every situation better. The family wishes to thank the excellent staff at the Phillips Healthcare Center for the consistent loving care they provided for Dr. Mitchell. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University with Dr. Bill Leonard officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2013 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Carlton and Miriam Mitchell Divinity School Scholarship Fund c/o Office of University Advancement, Wake Forest University, P.O. Box 7227, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109 or to Salemtowne, c/o Development Office, 1000 Salemtowne Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106.

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