Dr. Don Quinton Mitchell, 82, physician and state medical leader, died on September 19, 2024.

Don was born on August 11, 1942 to Quinton Allan and Doyce Stallings Mitchell in the Mississippi Delta. In his early childhood, Don's family moved around Bolivar County following farm jobs, and he made good memories in places like Roundaway, Kentland, and Alligator. Don called Cleveland, Mississippi his hometown, and it was at Cleveland High School where teachers and coaches encouraged his academic and athletic abilities.

It was Don's intellect and prowess as an undersized basketball player that captured the attention of a Millsaps College football coach. Besides earning the starting quarterback role as a freshman, he also competed as a left-handed pitcher for the Majors.

Millsaps was also where he met his wife of 60 years, Mary Sue McDonnell Mitchell. Upon seeing her at the student union, he confidently declared he would marry her, a promise he kept. Their shared leadership and involvement on campus made them a perfect match, as they were known affectionately as "the old man" and the "old lady." Don was also a Kappa Sigma at Millsaps, serving as grand master, and was a longtime supporter of the chapter there. Don stayed devoted to Millsaps throughout his life, serving on the Board of Trustees, as President of the Alumni Association, and as Chair of the Parents Council. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Jim Livesay Service Award.

In 1963, Don entered the School of Medicine of the University of Mississippi Medical Center via a U.S. Air Force early entry program. He graduated from UMMC in 1967. This led to 24 years of combined service in the Air Force and the Mississippi Air National Guard, where he earned multiple commendations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Award, Mississippi Longevity Award, Mississippi Magnolia Cross, and the Mississippi War Medal. Retiring with the rank of Brigadier General from the Guard was one of Don's proudest accomplishments.

Don and Mary Sue settled in Jackson in 1975, and Don joined the Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic. There, Don knew no strangers. Whether his patients were schoolchildren or future governors, he treated them with friendliness and compassion. Indeed, many of his patients said he was their favorite doctor. He understood that a comforting bedside manner was a critical part of the doctor-patient relationship and that kind words play a role in healing.

Don had a heart for service. He held leadership positions at the local, regional, and national levels. He served as President of the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (ACCAI) and as President of its Foundation Board. He was recognized by the ACAAI with the Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Fellow Award. He also served as President of the UMMC Alumni Association, was on the UMMC Admissions Committee, and was chair of the UMMC Momentum Campaign. He was a delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation Board; chair of the AMA Southeastern Delegation; a fellow of the American College of Physicians; President of the Central Medical Society of Mississippi; and President of the Mississippi State Medical Association. He served on the Board of Directors for Jackson Preparatory School and the Country Club of Jackson and was a member of the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Board at Christ United Methodist Church. He was a dedicated volunteer at places like the Jackson Zoo, Goodwill, Stewpot, and Habitat for Humanity.

To know Don was to love him. He was always fun. Even in memory care, his love of dancing never waned. Neither he nor his family were particularly skilled dancers, but he taught them all that enthusiasm mattered more than ability. He enjoyed twirling across the dance floor with Mary Sue, his daughter, and his granddaughters at family events. He even perfected the signature move, "The DocDoc Rock," with his granddaughter, Allanne.

A tenor who sang in Methodist choirs for years, Don embodied the "Singing Methodist" tradition. Don was as much a student of Charles Wesley's hymns as he was of John Wesley's teachings. Don also loved singing along to songs by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, and, surprisingly, the Beach Boys. He saw Elvis in concert, met Kenny, Willie, and a Beach Boy or two, and passed down his exuberance for music to his family. We know all the words to "The Gambler," whether we wanted to learn them or not.

Travel with Mary Sue, family, and friends brought great joy to Don. So much so that his destinations included over 30 countries and countless U.S. cities and states. All that moving around the Delta during his early childhood made Don an excellent tourist, and his traveling companions quickly learned that getting to the airport gate on time meant being there two hours early and that hiking through the airport was a competition akin to Olympic racewalking.

Don's pride in his children, grandchildren, and their achievements lasted until his memory began to fade. One of his favorite sayings was, "the cream always rises to the top." Above all else, he valued educational achievement, and his offspring took that to heart. The pride in—and deep affection for—his grandchildren were abundantly matched by their care for him in his final years. Whether singing show tunes to him, listening when his aphasia required patience, playing physical therapy games with him, or simply sitting by his side and holding his hand, they embodied his legacy of compassion.

In addition to Mary Sue, Don is survived by his children and their spouses: Don Allan Mitchell (Shelley Collins), Mack (Kathleen) Mitchell, and Sally Kay (Michael) McNitt; grandchildren: Eddie Mitchell, Elizabeth Mitchell, Allanne McNitt, Mont Mitchell, Kaylee McNitt, Mary Margaret Mitchell, and Quinton McNitt; his siblings: Kay Arcuragi, Lem (Alice) Mitchell, Ben (Becky) Mitchell, and Ned (Bettye) Mitchell; his brothers-in-law, Fred (Ouida) McDonnell and Jim (Donna) Barksdale; and his large, loving, and much-cherished circle of family and friends.

Don's family extends deep gratitude to his longest-serving caregivers: Velma Patrick, Howard Williams, Allene Kyles, Jennifer Lungrin, and Kacinda Wright, along with the other dedicated staff at Covenant Caregivers, The Blake at Township, and Arden Hospice who ensured his comfort these last three years. We especially thank Dr. Kathy Gregg and Dr. Fred McDonnell for their care.

The memories of Don will be treasured by us all, but none more than this: if you ever saw Don try to tell a joke but get so tickled that tears rolled down his cheeks and he could not make it to the punch line, please remember that laughter.

This is not a sad time but a celebration—a celebration of being his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. Don (aka DocDoc) is now free and dancing in a better place.

So, please, don't worry about the punch line. With Don, it was always about sheer joy and laughter.

A service to celebrate Don's life will be held at Christ United Jackson at 3 P.M. on Thursday, September 26th, with visitation preceding in the church's Great Hall beginning at 1 P.M. If you wish to express gratitude for his life, please consider contributing to a charity of your choice.