Charles Hughes Mitchell – formerly of Belle Vernon

Our loving spouse, father, “Grandfather” and great “Grandfather” passed away at home surrounded by all the generations of his family on Feb. 17, 2019. Charles Hughes was born in Akron, Ohio, on Dec. 9, 1924, to Irvin Pride and Verlie Mae Hughes Mitchell. He was a proud Navy veteran of World War II, serving honorably between the 6th and 7th Fleet as an electrician’s mate second class. Shortly after returning from the war, he attended Salem College in West Virginia. After graduation he married Mary Virginia McCarty and started working as a lineman for Monongahela Power Company, where he eventually retired after 40 years with the company. Due to his lifelong love of West Virginia, Charlie had the heart and soul of a mountaineer. He was particularly proud of his family’s deep roots in the mountains of the state. As an author and historian, he wrote of how the state’s history wove through those roots in his autobiographical work, “West Virginia Bred.” Through the influence of his father, he had a great love of woodworking. He could build anything his family requested. As a historian, his interests also included American history, particularly the Civil War, and religion. His other works included a commentary on the Catholic Church titled, “Paradox: The American Catholic.” However, his truest love was of family, in whom he took great pride. He was devoted to his darling wife of 67 years, Mary. He was the source of strength and stability in his family. A much-loved tradition were annual vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. When his beloved wife was stricken with dementia and went through years of decline, he cared for her with complete devotion. A demonstration of his wry sense of humor was his comment that his life during this time was “like a gothic novel.” Mary and Charlie spent 47 happy, friend-filled years in their lovely home in Belle Vernon. A move to North Carolina was prompted by health issues and a desire to be with family. After a long and robust life, the journey came to an end in the home of his eldest daughter and her husband. Shortly before his passing, knowing the end was near, he commented, “I expect it is time to get on home.” Charlie is survived by his children, Terri Straight Newton (John), Father Irv Mitchell, Missy Mitchell Yachup (Ted); his grandchildren, Gretchen Cordray (Larry), Emily Addis (Jay) and Grayson Mitchell Yachup; and great-granddaughter, Autumn Georgia Cordray; as well as many nieces and nephews. Charles and his beloved wife, Mary, will be interred with a private family service in the family cemetery in Spencer, W.Va., at a later date. Donations in his name may be made to ASPCA at www.aspca.org.