Walter Lewis Mitchell was born the sixth child of Charlie Robert and Amie (Wyche) Mitchell, on January 21, 1922. He was called "Hare" or "Hair", possibly because of his thick curly black hair. He was considered lazy by his siblings. They tell tales of him sitting in the field, crying for the noon hour to come so he could go back to the house. He rejoiced when his favorite uncle, Uncle Buck (John Drew Mitchell) visited. Uncle Buck took pleasure in sitting and eating with Walter whenever he visited, which gave him a short reprieve from the work in the field. They pigged-out on fried chicken, home-made biscuits, and desserts. Of course, his siblings were upset, and they planned an attack. He survived, and probably learned a valuable lesson in the process.

Walter was a quiet, unassuming soul who had nerves of steel and the strength of Sampson. When riled, though, folks fled, as legend goes. Underneath his rugged exterior was a gentle man.

Walter met and married Ola Manley in 1943 and they had five children: Ammie Louise, Walter, Jr., Charlie, Fannie, and Millard. Ola had two sons, George and Henry before marrying Walter. He and Ola farmed and took care of cousin Jenny, who's name was Virginia McCray, until Ola died in 1966. Jenny then helped Walter with his home and children. Walter died on March 11, 1988 after a lengthy illness. We were blessed to have him as a part of our family.