Obituary: Mr. Billy Wayne Mitchell

BILLY WAYNE MITCHELL, 71, of Rome, Georgia, passed away March 28, 2024.  Born July 20, 1952 in Summerville, Georgia, He graduated in 1970 from Chattooga High School, later from Shorter College with an elementary education major, and then received his Masters Degree from Berry College.  Billy taught lower elementary school, mostly second grade, for thirty years at Pennville Elementary School.

He was active in the PTT at Pennville School, serving as Treasurer for 18 years; former President of the Chattooga Education Association, he was a GAE member for thirty years.  He was a member of the Retired Teachers Association in Chattooga County, a member of the Chattooga County Historical Society and enjoyed doing a great deal of family genealogical research.  Billy served many years as Treasurer for the Oakdene Place Neighborhood Association, was on the Board of Directors of the Rome Area Heritage Foundation, and opened his home for several Tour of Homes events.  He is preceded in death by parents, Donald and Lucille Whisenant Mitchell, brother, Rodney Mitchell, sister, Elaine Mitchell Ponder, great nephew, Eddie Ponder, and many aunts and uncles.

Survived by life partner, of 51 years, Brentz Turner; niece, Cindy (Wayne) Albrecht, nephew, Eddie Ponder, great niece, Jamie (Joe) Prince, great nephews Kiley (Jessica), and Isaac (Ashley), great nephew, Jared Ponder, as well as great great niece, Ella Prince, great great nephews, Henry Prince, Jared (Elizabeth) Peulausk Ponder, and Ethan Albrecht; sisters-in-law, Ann (Jim) Lynch, and Fran (Ron) Palmer; as well as many friends, neighbors,  and extended family.

Celebration of life for Billy Wayne Mitchell will be held Sunday, April 7^th, at 3:00 P.M. from the Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Dr. Kenneth Norton, Caroline Jones, Maisha Ludy, and Jamie Prince.  The Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, Sunday from 1 until 3 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, the Family requests donations to Heyman Hospice or the Chattooga County Historical Society.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Billy Wayne Mitchell.