On January 18, 2015, Clifford Boyd Mitchell of Picayune, Mississippi passed away at Forrest General Hospital in Hattisburg, MS. When Cliff Mitchell left this earth, the world lost a man whose word was as good as gold; he loved the Lord and his family, and was a man generous beyond belief.

Clifford Mitchell was born on December 8, 1933 in Nicholson, MS to Dora (Smith) and Emmett Mitchell. He was the youngest child of a family of six. In 1952, Cliff graduated from Picayune High School and enrolled in Pearl River College. Upon graduation from PRC, Cliff worked off shore until he entered the U.S. Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL. When Cliff completed flight training and was awarded his pilot’s wings, he elected to enter the U.S. Marine Corps as a fighter pilot, where flying jets was one of the love’s of his life. It was during this time that he married the other love of his life, Gwen Carbonnett from Picayune, MS. During his years of military service, Cliff served in Korea and Japan. Upon leaving the Marines, Cliff returned to Picayune and worked in the New Orleans shipyards until he entered Mississippi State University. Cliff graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. After graduating from MSU, Cliff took a job at AMCHEM Chemical Company in the Research and Development Department, where he was over the research projects in a 15 state area. After several years of traveling all over the U.S., Cliff left AMCHEM to join Mississippi Power Company administrative team at the Biloxi Office, where he headed the Forestry Division until he retired in 1995. Not one to sit around, Cliff started his own company, Osprey Precision Applications, Inc. where he worked with his son, Stan and several friends, until he decided to completely retire and enjoy the “good life”. 

Cliff enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming and working on his home, farm land and hunting lease. He always shared his experiences with family and friends. On any given day, if you visited his home or camp, you rarely found Cliff alone. There was always someone else he invited to share the experience and enjoy the day. Cliff was deeply loved by his family and friends far and wide. He was always checking in to be sure everyone was okay. People who knew Cliff knew him to be a kind and generous man who would help people, whether he knew them or not. Clifford Boyd Mitchell left behind many family and friends, who will miss him for a long time to come.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Dora and Emmett Mitchell, brothers Melville and David Mitchell, and his sister, Emmy Lou Mitchell Craft.

Cliff is survived by his son, Stanley Mitchell and wife Sheila; his daughter, Dawn Mitchell Faucheux, and his first wife and best friend, Gwen C. Mitchell. He was the proud grandfather of three granddaughters, Ashlyn Adams, Allison Faucheux, and Sara Sherrer, along with one great-granddaughter, Ava Lynn Adams. Cliff will be missed by his sister-in-laws, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

A “Celebration of Life” will be held and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up at Mississippi State University’s Alumni Foundation to be awarded in memory of Clifford Boyd Mitchell. All donations go straight to Mississippi State University College of Forestry.

To donate by mail:

1. Make the check to: “MSU Foundation”

2. In the note section, write “In Memory of Clifford B Mitchell for the College of Forestry-Research”.

3. Mail the check to the: 

MSU Foundation

PO Box 614

Mississippi State University, MS 39762 

To donate online:

1. Go to the university alumni website:  www.msufoundation.com

2. Top right hand corner, click “Give Now” and follow the step-by-step directions

3. In the “I want to contribute to”, click “Other” and enter “Forestry Research”

4. In the “Additional Giving Information” write “In Memory of Clifford B. Mitchell for the College of Forestry”

5. The link will then give an option to enter a credit card number and complete the Memorial Gift in Cliff’s memory.

6. If you have problems, giving online, call the MSU Foundation at 662-325-7000.