“Big Sam,” Mitchell as he was known for more than 40 years of state service, will be honored at a ceremony, dinner and dance celebrating his life on Aug. 29 at the National Guard Armory in Marianna.
The event will pay tribute to the former Florida legislator’s legacy while raising funds to create a perpetual scholarship in his name at Chipola, where he played on the college’s first football and basketball teams in 1947.
Mitchell was a life-long friend of the late Chipola coach Milton H. Johnson. Both attended Livingston College (now the University of West Alabama) in the late 1940’s.
Mitchell began his coaching duties at Campbellton High in 1952-53 off with a bang with a first-year season record of 24 wins and only two losses. His coaching job was short-lived at Campbellton, however, as he was called to service in the United States Army.
Returning home from military duty, Mitchell established himself at Vernon High School, where he completed an overall career record as a basketball coach of 396-59. As a football coach, Mitchell compiled an impressive record of 113 wins and only 17 losses.
He distinguished himself as the only coach in Florida to coach both the basketball and football All-Star Games. He was chosen Florida Coach of the Year in 1957, and in football in 1960-61. Mitchell’s basketball team won the state basketball championship in 1957.
Mitchell was appointed principal of Vernon High School during the school year 1967-68 and served until 1977. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida High School Activities Association from 1968-1975, and was elected vice-president form 1975-1977.
He served in the Florida Legislature for more than 20 years, receiving many legislative awards. He completed his term as speaker pro tempore during the 1988-1990 sessions. After retiring in 1994, he worked with the Florida Lakes Department for three years.
Mitchell was born in Chipley in 1929. He married Nellie Henders on Sept. 4, 1951, and they had two children, Brenda and Sammie Jean. After retirement he settled down in Vernon, where he ran a small seafood business as a hobby, which allowed him to make new friends until his death in 2003.
The event will begin with a social at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 8 p.m., featuring the world-famous Embers, the Raleigh, NC, band renowned for its exciting renditions of nostalgic “beach music.” Also appearing will be a 1960’s era band, the Villagers, which includes several Chipola alumni.
Tickets are $75 per person which includes a smoked-steak dinner and social hour.
For ticket information on the event, call Lillie Hamil at 718-2375.
The event will pay tribute to the former Florida legislator’s legacy while raising funds to create a perpetual scholarship in his name at Chipola, where he played on the college’s first football and basketball teams in 1947.
Mitchell was a life-long friend of the late Chipola coach Milton H. Johnson. Both attended Livingston College (now the University of West Alabama) in the late 1940’s.
Mitchell began his coaching duties at Campbellton High in 1952-53 off with a bang with a first-year season record of 24 wins and only two losses. His coaching job was short-lived at Campbellton, however, as he was called to service in the United States Army.
Returning home from military duty, Mitchell established himself at Vernon High School, where he completed an overall career record as a basketball coach of 396-59. As a football coach, Mitchell compiled an impressive record of 113 wins and only 17 losses.
He distinguished himself as the only coach in Florida to coach both the basketball and football All-Star Games. He was chosen Florida Coach of the Year in 1957, and in football in 1960-61. Mitchell’s basketball team won the state basketball championship in 1957.
Mitchell was appointed principal of Vernon High School during the school year 1967-68 and served until 1977. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida High School Activities Association from 1968-1975, and was elected vice-president form 1975-1977.
He served in the Florida Legislature for more than 20 years, receiving many legislative awards. He completed his term as speaker pro tempore during the 1988-1990 sessions. After retiring in 1994, he worked with the Florida Lakes Department for three years.
Mitchell was born in Chipley in 1929. He married Nellie Henders on Sept. 4, 1951, and they had two children, Brenda and Sammie Jean. After retirement he settled down in Vernon, where he ran a small seafood business as a hobby, which allowed him to make new friends until his death in 2003.
The event will begin with a social at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 8 p.m., featuring the world-famous Embers, the Raleigh, NC, band renowned for its exciting renditions of nostalgic “beach music.” Also appearing will be a 1960’s era band, the Villagers, which includes several Chipola alumni.
Tickets are $75 per person which includes a smoked-steak dinner and social hour.
For ticket information on the event, call Lillie Hamil at 718-2375.
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