Reverend Michael Mitchell

Mercer Island lost an important part of its community with the passing of Reverend Michael Mitchell. Michael came to the North Mercer QFC in 1999 and was promoted to Assistant Manager of the Seafood Department. Through his everyday presence in the store, Michael dispensed wisdom and guidance. He took a genuine interest in his customers and remembered their names and activities. Parents knew when they couldn’t find their kids, they would be in the back of the store talking with Michael. Michael graduated from Garfield High School in 1968 where he was a member of the Lettermen Club, concert choir and track team. As an amazing singer and dancer, Michael was one of the premier entertainers in Seattle’s Soul Music community. He was referred to as the “James Brown of Seattle.” He later met James Brown and they became lifelong friends. He began his career at the age of 14, as founder and lead singer of the Seattle-based singing group The Majestics. He later helped create Cookin’ Bag, which was a soulful singing group in the 1970’s. One of the biggest highlights of his music career was being selected to audition for the group Tower of Power. He won the audition to replace the lead singer but opted to stay in Seattle with his hometown group .Michael passed away peacefully on the morning of May 7 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by six sisters, two brothers, ten children, twenty-four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Norman Mitchell and Aridell Mitchell, founders of the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church where his Celebration of Life Service was held; and by two sisters, one son and two grandchildren. 1,500 attended his memorial which was May 19. Many QFC employees and customers were in the audience. Many attendees could not even get into the church which was at overflow capacity. Michael’s daughter Michelle remembered her father, wearing his QFC hat backwards as he did in the store which filled the church with laughter. His QFC apron was on display with many sympathy cards attached.After giving his life to the Lord in 1981, Michael became a minister and began to preach the gospel, sharing his testimony with others and devoting his life to service. He was a member of AA and very active in the Cherry Street Hall and the 1504 Club of Seattle, two organizations which aid sufferers of alcohol addiction. He spent much of his time supporting others by leading them to Christ, helping them to secure employment and assisting them in their quest for sobriety. Donations can be made in Michael’s honor to The Atlantic Street Center which supports low-income children and youth of color in Seattle’s central and southeast neighborhoods. 2103 South Atlantic Street, Seattle 98144, 206-329-2050. www:atlanticstreet.org.

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