Leroy Mitchell was born on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1916 in Jackson, North Carolina, the second son of Robert Mitchell and Amie (Wyche) Mitchell. He obtained his education in the public schools in Northampton County. He and his brothers and sisters walked daily to Mt. Mariah School, which was at least a couple of miles away. The school was located next door to what we know as "The Sanctified Church." Many stories were told about the mischief he and his brothers got into!

Leroy joined Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church as a child, which would lay the foundation for his service to the church later in life. When not hard at work on the family farm, his siblings tell us that he also liked to play dice and court the ladies. He was kind of small in stature but had a million dollar smile; he also bore a striking resemblance to Henry Fonda, the actor. No wonder the ladies loved him. He had a daughter, Margaret Zenobia (Wiley), and a son, Ernest Alfonso Jenkins while still living in North Carolina.

Leroy left North Carolina in search of his dreams and spent a number of years in various towns on the eastern shore of Virginia. Again his siblings tell us that he stayed for a while with his Aunt Adelaide (Wyche) Squire who also lived in Virginia. He later went to Sparkhill, New York along with his brothers Willis & Walter, and friend Leroy Harris; they lived with Uncle Henderson Mitchell. There he worked and enjoyed life as a single young adult.

Leroy married Annie Mae Goode in 1943 and settled down to life in the city. Annie Mae was also from Northampton County and had moved to Montclair, New Jersey in 1940 after completing her studies at Elizabeth City State Teachers College. Leroy and Annie Mae moved to East Orange, New Jersey where he became a businessman and they became the proud parents of their only child, Sandra Mitchell, affectionately called Sandy by most family members. He established his own trucking/freight business, thus providing a livelihood for himself and his family. He had finally obtained his "American Dream" - owning his own business.

Leroy became a member and Trustee at Divinity Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange. Leroy spent the last ten years of his life as a retired person at his home; Annie Mae had died on November 30, 1987. It was an honor to be in his company, listening to tales of mischief from his childhood. He died on October 13, 1994 at East Orange General Hospital after a lengthy illness.