Joe Dale Mitchell, Sr.

Joe Dale Mitchell, Sr. 85, of Glade Spring, Va., passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.

Joe was born in Troutdale, Grayson County, Va. and lived in Washington County Va. for over 55 years.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1954 and served his country until 1958; obtaining the rank of Sergeant. After the Marine Corp he joined the Town of Abingdon Police Department before being hired with the Virginia State Police where he achieved the rank of Master Trooper and served for 30 years. He was elected Sheriff of Washington County, Va. from 1992 to 1995. After finally retiring he enjoyed the great outdoors, hunting and hiking on Pine Mountain, picking blueberries, fishing and walking every day.

Joe was the former Commander of the American Legion in Damascus, Va. where he was instrumental in starting the Damascus Veterans Memorial Park. He was a charter member of the Virginia State Police Association. A founding member of the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation in Abingdon, Va. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, the Washington County Sportsman’s Club and life/benefactor of the National Rifle Association. He was the former President of the Abingdon Lions Club and served many years as the Eye Sight Chairman for the organization.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley Winton and Ossie Belle Shumate Mitchell; brothers, William (Bill) Calvin, Louis Richard, Carl (Jack) Grayson, Cyrus Winton, Donald Franklin and Charles (Charlie) Bruce; sisters, Mary Evelyn Mitchell Lilly and Lavada June Mitchell Atwood Osborn and his wife, June (Bug) Hartsock Mitchell.

Survivors include his twin brother, Robert Gayle Mitchell; his daughter, Jama Denise Mitchell and son, Joe Dale (J.D.) Mitchell, Jr., and wife Bonnie; three grandchildren, Josh Owens (Audrey), Amy Owens Adams (Brian), Allyson Mitchell Reid (Derek) and 7 great-grandchildren.

A funeral procession will assemble at the Virginia National Guard Armory, exit 22 off I-81, 26460 New Banks Rd., Abingdon, Va., at 12:30 p.m., on Monday, to travel to the cemetery. Graveside services will be conducted on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 2 p.m., at the Troutdale Town Cemetery in Troutdale, Va. where he will be buried, with Virginia State Police Chaplain, Special Agent, A.W. Peery conducting a brief service.

It’s winter, its cold, its Troutdale at the end of deer season, dress in your warmest hunting gear. Joe Dale would do it and would love it if you show up in your hunting attire.

The family would like to recognize and thank the caregivers that took such great care of Joe at Heritage Hall Nursing Facility in Front Royal, Va.

Pallbearers will be members of the U.S. Marine Corp, Abingdon Town Police and Washington County Sheriff’s office. State Honors will be presented by the Virginia State Police Honor Guard. Military Honors will be presented by the U.S. Marine Corp and Francis Marion V.F.W. Post 4667.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Pine Mountain Boys.

Donations in the name of Joe Dale Mitchell, Sr. can be made to Troutdale Town Cemetery.

Treasurer Troutdale Town Cemetery, P.O. Box 5, Troutdale, Va., 24378.

Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mr. Mitchell.