Tommy Ray Mitchell

Tommy Ray Mitchell 82, of Lexington, NC, passed on from this life to his eternal home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at The Cranberry House in Newland, North Carolina.

Tommy was born on May 17, 1943, to Maude Rachel Miller Mitchell and William Lewis Mitchell in the Beech Mountain community of North Carolina.

Tommy committed his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 28 and faithfully attended and served over the years in several churches including Rosemont Baptist, Grace Baptist, and most recently Shiloh Church of Lexington.

He enjoyed a successful career at Piedmont Sheet Metal with his cousins Bill and Ted Cook retiring as a partner in the business. Tommy was also an excellent builder of both homes and furniture. His furniture is cherished and can be found in his children’s and grandchildren’s homes.

Tommy was a graduate of Cranberry High School where he met the love of his life Christine Beaver with whom he would be happily married to for the next 63 years. Tommy enjoyed telling the story of how she would sit behind him while he drove the school bus and they would hold hands.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his loving wife, Christine; his two daughters, Sandy Kennedy (Bobby), and Cynthia Gerken (Keith); grandchildren, Dylan Kennedy (Jessica), Austin Kennedy (Caroline), Jessica Gerken, and Mitchell Gerken (Ashley Elliott), and Jamie Cruse; great grandchildren, Bella Grace, Carolina, Elijah, Austin, Grayson, and Reagan; and sisters, Barbara Ann Issacs (James) and Mary Lois Estep (Marshall).

Tommy was a blessing to all that knew him and he loved with a huge love that he did not hesitate to show. When his grandchildren participated in school or sports activities he could always be found in the stands cheering them on without fail. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Pastor Paul Perkins officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30PM to 2:00PM at the funeral home. A private entombment will take place at Parklawn Memorial Park in the Mausoleum. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Assn (https://www.alz.org). 

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family.