Thomas Franklin Mitchell, 75, husband of Rosemary Dianne Lee Mitchell, of Harrisonburg, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

He was born in Henry County, Virginia on August 11, 1950, a son of the late Robert K. and Kathlyn G. (Meeks) Mitchell.

Thomas was a member of First United Methodist Church in Martinsville. He was a newspaper reporter, beginning his career in Martinsville, covering NASCAR and local high school basketball and football. Thomas later worked for the Free Lance Reporter in Fredericksburg and the Daily News Record in Harrisonburg. He enjoyed various forms of exercise and was an avid sports fan, especially cheering for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Jets. Thomas shared a special love with his wife and will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters, Timothy Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, Robert Mitchell, III, Elizabeth Warren, Shirley Sutphin, and Kathlyn Foster.

In addition to his wife of 33 years, he is survived by a son, Jeremy T. Mitchell; daughter, Melody Parsons (James); grandson, Seth Parsons; a brother, William "Bill" Mitchell and his wife, Lorraine; three step-sons, Joseph, Terry and Daniel Wilson; a step-granddaughter, Evelyn Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Shiloh Baptist Church in King George with Pastor Randolph W. Allensworth, III officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net