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Meadow Mitchem Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
My grandpa was an awesome man. He was very creative as well. He was an awesome man and a great grandpa. I know for a fact that he fought very hard through cancer and so I know that he was a warrior. He was the best grandpa a girl could ever have and I am saying that because he was awesome.

When my grandpa was sick, he fought through it. And even though he was fighting cancer from before my mom and dad met, he had a good long life. My grandpa was very sweet. We can all agree on that. I really miss him and I always will. I mean, he was very special to me. Whenever I felt in the dumps, he would help me get better.

Lois Douglas story as spoken during the Memorial Service

May 28, 2020
A TRIBUTE/ TO Bob Mitchem May 2020 – Lois Douglas

-Dick Douglas and Bob Mitchem:Dick’s first IBM class was as a student in Bob’s IBM Sales Class: in the 60’s. Bob taught and Dick revered!

Phil & Mary Kemp had a Christmas party, 35 yrs ago. We were all excited about Bob moving to Atlanta; this would be the first time I would meet Bob Mitchem and Sookie.We met:

Then, Sookie- Bob- Dick- Lois- committee went everywhere!
.Dinners,
.BBQs,
.Business Mtgs,
.Games,
.Movies

Event: Game day at the Douglases, “Name That tune”…Old Negro Spiritual…Team: Dick, Sookie, and Tinka Green—Bob razzed Dick about one black man unable to carry a team to victory …Bob said “slaves would have done better – you should go back to school!I’m ashamed of you!”

Event: Another Game day at the Douglases: I made homemade rolls and apple cobbler…Bob dipped his bread in the cobbler, then everybody followed suit.Bob bragged, “Nobody recognizes good food anymore—At this age and stage, I’m still teaching!”

Bob & Sookie moved to Florida a few years later.Dick and I visited them in their home where they purchased a huge house—with
-An infinity pool,
-Included ALL the model- home furniture,
-Restaurants all around,
-Lovely!

-Feb 2009, and then there were 3

Bob & Sookie & Lois
-STILL Social; More Food; Deep Culture Conversation.
-Park Family Reunion, 2016, I was inducted into Sookie’s Korean family…One night, a social was held at my house in Dunwoody. Because I’m restricted to food prep & cleanup detail, I needed some African-American reinforcements, so I invited William and
Emily Stanley—people we had traveled with all over the world.William set us up!He brought giant speakers and lots of relevant music in the sunroom.Bob danced, solo, like a Greek (Opa!), bragged the unknown, circular dance he performed was the Merengue , and he smiled throughout!Sookie’s eyes followed him as he sneaked a couple drinks, especially when he thought Sookie didn’t see!...Always a delight!

Bob’s Illness returned, 2019. Back to the drawing board!

-Hospital visitations: Bob would ask Sookie to tip the nurses because he was/always the maître d, with the charm of a Concierge on-call.He loved leading the call to “Play!”
-Every Tuesday, the 3 of us carried on: Sookie cooked good food, we watched Netflix/Amazon movies, and laughed through our irreverent conversation.

April 2020-Tuesday gatherings ended early due to Covid-19

May 2020-Everyday loss ushered in the new normal

Historic Birthday remembrance--
May 14, 2013 – There was a birthday party for Sookie at my house.

Bob demanded he secretly buy something for Sookie.I purchased the gift, Bob adapted these words from the song, “People”:

"Sookie…all of us love Sookie,

We’re the luckiest people in the world

We’re family, needing other family

And yet letting our grown-up pride

Hide all her love inside

Acting more like Meadow, than Meadow*…

Family—is very special people

We’re the luckiest people in the world

With one Sookie—one very special Sookie,

We love her deep in our souls

Once we were half, now we’re whole,

We still hunger and thirst—

Because we’re a family who loves Sookie

All of us love Sookie:

We’re the luckiest people in the world!"





Carolyn Booker Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 25, 2020
To Sookie, the Mitchem children, family members and friends I feel honored and blessed to have known Robert Mitchem as a fellow Fiskite, a successful Marketeer with IBM, an Entrepreneur, dedicated and loving father, husband, and a dear friend of the Booker Family.

We count Bob and family as part of our family.He was our friend, truly a blessing in our life.And while I will miss him I am comforted that he joins a band of brothers in heaven who I am sure greeted him warmly, led by Uncle Crazy Cary Booker, Dick Douglas, James “Piggy” Robinson and so many more who have made their transition.

Fifty plus years is a long time to share a friendship and Bob was one of a kind.

I have learned that each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive and it is when they meet that a new world is born. I cannot tell you how many worlds we have birthed over the years of departures and arrivals.Particularly during our IBM years or the “I’m Being Moved” years.

In our fifty plus years of friendship, when our lives collided to the same space and time we had opportunities to see changes and growth, catch up on health and happiness, share our stories of successes and failures and spend time as ole friends do “just chilling”.

True friendships are comfortable, like old shoes. Friends share feelings without judgement.Friends listen and they share laughter, wishes and cares through good times and tears.Yet you stay by each others side, through the years and through separations no matter how far they stray.Each has their life yet each is wise enough to know life is an awful ugly place to not have a friend.

So this I have learned over the years about my friend Bob, he is loyal and wise, never over bearing and always wanting the best for you.Helpful yes, comfortable, fun loving and funny at times.He means a lot to those that took the time to get to know him, never quick to give advice, solutions or cures, choosing rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, one who

in the end could tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend that cares.

May we all find comfort in knowing we have one more angle watching over us, my friend, Bob.

Please accept my heartfelt condolence, words cannot express my sadness or your feelings right now.So may God rest his soul and may our prayers enfold the Mitchem Family and guide their journeys as they began to process this loss of life, but not of love.


Sincerely,

Carolyn

Leah Davis-Hemphill Story

May 23, 2020
Uncle Bob, is a whole family man, a mentor and humorist. I am grateful to him for guiding me through some of the most difficult times in my life.  I will miss his jokes, comparing this phase of life called Grandparenting and his thoughtful words of encouragement and strength.  
No matter what was going on in my life,  he had a knack for seeing the other side and gently guiding me in a more positive direction. 
I will miss being able to pick up the phone to get the smile and laughter only he brought.  
Our sincere condolences to our beloved aunt and our cousins.
Leah, Karalynne, Quincy, Evelyn and Savannah 

Eddie Dixon Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
Robert T
He left me with so many memories.
We first met when we were 15 and members of a social club called the Spartans. We went on to different colleges, the service and then reunited in Boston. This is when we truly bonded and became lifelong friends. Bob was best man at my wedding and my friend through good times and not so good times. For 70 years I have been proud to call Bob my friend - my brother.

I will miss you Bob.

Sunny Park Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020

My brother and I didn’t get to know Uncle Bob until later in life, but from the first encounter on, we always looked forward to spending time with him - whether it was watching football together or listening to his funny anecdotes over a wonderful meal. My favorite memory of Uncle Bob was when I interviewed him for a class assignment once. I remember being impressed by his life story - one of hard work, courage, and grit. But what I remember the most was how he told his story, the way he narrated even his life's struggles with joy and with a constant twinkle in his eye, his laughter contagious. My brother shares that one time, he saved up his entire allowance so he could buy Uncle Bob a Michael Vick bobblehead at the flea market; it was the most expensive present he had ever bought for anyone with his own earnings. The rationale was the following: “I wanted to give him something that would make him feel happy because that’s what he always did for me, every time I saw him.” 

There is no shortage of accolades in the Park family - and as accomplished and inspiring as Uncle Bob was, what really set him apart was that he was always the one person in the room who seemed to really listen to what others were trying to say - it’s as if he always knew that time with family should focus on connection and those special moments together. For me and Moon, it’s no exaggeration when we say that every moment we shared with him felt special. He never failed to put a smile on our faces, to make us feel seen and loved, and we’ll consider ourselves lucky if one day, we can do for others what he always did for us. We will miss you dearly, Uncle Bob - you may have departed this Earth, but our cherished memories with you will live on in us forever. 

Will Phillips Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020

Those who knew us early in the late 60's and early 70's will ask when and where we first met. Finally l have come to the point where the exact time,  place and circumstances are inconsequential it is this man, my friend, and confidant that l will forever hold sacred. 

Yes of course, there was that striking early gray mane and that Irish Boston accent that always earned him a second take in every crowd. But so much more indelible to me was his deep professional acumen which always came wrapped in a package marked humble, sensitive and delicate. 

In those early New York/New Jersey days filled with corporate and personal travail, he was just a quick and comforting phone call away. Through it all, he remained a friend, father, and husband of substance whom l choose to call "Consequentially Black"!

Somewhere out there on this imaginary line is this thing call eternity, where our paths will cross again.

Your Forever Friend,

Will Phillips

Lou Bonitto Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
Way Back Lou Bonitto and "Robert T"(AKA, Bob Mitchem)

"Robert T" and I go back a long, long time.Our Grandmothers ('Ma Franklin' and Margaret Bonitto) and our parents were the best of friends.Bob was always a non-boisterous, sensible and smart young man. This was 'something', considering he was the youngest with three sisters, all VERY strong girls and women.As early as a ten year old,he would often be with his parents on their visits to my home in Hingham, Massachusetts.Bob always carried a quiet strength about him and with vision.I had the pleasure of partnering in business with Bob, after our IBM careers.Although he and I worked in IBM at the same time, we never worked together until this post-IBM time when I was able to be benefactor of his wisdom and vision. Bob was 'rock-steady' as he would take on all challenges of life.He was always accepting, hospitable, welcoming, competent...and one heck-of-a-guy!

Robert T

...It was so good knowing and growing with Thee

You were one heck-of-a-guy!

It's tough to say..but, I'll say it! ..."Goodbye"

Lou

Josie Johnson Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020

Dear Family,

My heart is very sad and in Deep pain.

Mitch was my other “little brother”. I have known my little brother since he was in college and my birth brother, James Robinson’s, best friend.

I loved him sincerely and that Love kept him and Sukkie in my life.

Mitch was always there! He truly was my “Other Little Brother”.

I will Miss My Little Brother and Will keep Sukkie in my prayers and heart.

I can hardly think of not talking to him are hearing him say “Josie Wilma I love you”.

God help US through This Period and Please Take Care of Mitch.

My joy is thinking of My Brother and Mitch being together, Again!

I Love you with all my heart, dear Sukkie and I Pray for your continued Strength and Courage!

With Love and Sorrow,

Josie Wilma

Russell Rose Testimonial as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020

My Uncle Bob has always been a huge positive force in me and my siblings lives, and he always made sure he was around what seemed like every year as we grew up and grew older, I remember the first time we flew on a plane, it was to go to Puerto Rico to visit with Uncle Bob. I was 13 years old and didn't really know who my hero was or how to figure out what a role model was, but it was then that I started to pay attention to my Uncle Bob and watch him. He was my "New Hero". From that day to this day I have always tried hard to follow his teaching, words, and silent lessons.

At 19 years old I went to Houston to finish College under the direction of U.B., and that’s when U.B.(Uncle Bob) started subliminally molding me, for the most part, into who I am today. He taught me self reliance when I was being dependent on him, the power of punctuality in my tardiness. I remember when he told me in my bliss of my irresponsibility, that I would have to look after my future younger cousins, Stan and Nattie (Natalie) to take Nattie to Ice Skating lessons and other stuff for a week, and sure enough my test of dependability and responsibility came at the height of my yearning to be just the opposite but because of tutelage I stepped up and made my Aunt and Uncle Proud.

 My U.B. treated me like I was his son and I am a better man for it. Thank you forever U.B. for all of the life lessons hard and soft, loud and silent I will cherish them forever and pass them on to everyone I can.

LOVE YOU FOREVER U.B.

Judy and Marty Pollack Notes as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
Like most things in life, we have a mixed bag of emotions about Bob's passing...
On one hand, we are saddened beyond imagination:
- to think that we'll never see him again
- share a joke
- hear his reaction to a political story
- see the twinkle in his lovely eyes
- and accept the sad reality that we'll never actually see our dear Bob again.

On the other hand, Bob's passing gives us a reason to celebrate life...Bob's life, in particular. We celebrate:
- the great and wonderful love and warmth that he was capable of...
- his admirable values
- his sense of humor
- his charm....and most of all...
- the wonderful friendship we had and the good times we shared.

So, this is not goodbye to Bob because he will always and always live on in our memories.
Rest in peace, dear friend.

Judy and Marty Pollack

Sky Rose Stories as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
Story 1

In 1979 and 1980 during the Iran hostage crisis there was an Iranian cleric names Ayatollah Khomeini.This happened to coincide with the period of time when Uncle Bob was part owner of a very successful saloon, and it just so happened that I had recently finished bartender school. Perfect! So this was the time that I worked for Uncle Bob while he owned Nukem’s.

Well this hostage crisis newscast came on TV every night after the local news (it was actually the ABC News beginnings of what became ABC’s Nightline with Ted Koppel.Uncle Bob and I used to watch it to see what had happened each day.Well, I don’t know how, but somehow I started calling Uncle Bob “Uncle Ayatollah” which became an inside joke in the subsequent years.

Story 2

Another “Uncle Bob” memory from my youth is from when I was 7 or 8 years old and my brother Michael was about 9. Uncle Bob was in his late 20’s and for the better part of 1962 or 63, Uncle Bob would regularly show up my mom’s place (Aunt Mitchie), AFTER a night out with the boys.Now there would be friends with him, all of whom had laid down $10 or $20 bets that Bob’s little nephews couldn’t do 20 pushups.So of course, since this was AFTER a night out with the boys, he would have to wake us up with the question, “Can you guys do some pushups for Uncle Bob?We would ask, “yeah, how many?” And then we would do however many he said to do.After that Uncle Bob would give us a hug, say thank you, and let us go back to sleep.To this day we never got a commission.

Adah Pierce Story as read during the Memorial Service

May 23, 2020
My roommate Virginia Phillips from Tuskegee, Alabama, and I transferred from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to Fisk University, the fall of 1952. That fall, we met and joined all of our wonderful Fisk University classmates, and graduates on the Class of 1955, which we are now known. We met Bob Mitchem from Massachusetts. Mitch for me became known as a very close friend of Judson and Piggy Robinson from Houston. They were football players, and Business majors, planning to make lots of money. Mitch became “an adopted brother” to the Robinson brothers. We Texans banding together, since I was from Hawkins, Texas in the Eastern Part of the State, learned quickly, I knew whom they knew in Houston, and socially we all went to and from the same events. Piggy and Judson’s father knew my father, who served on the original Board of Trustees which had established Texas Southern University in Houston.
Mitch accompanied the Robinson brothers, and others of us who took the train from Nashville to Texas during holiday vacations. When we got to Little Rock, Arkansas, they changed trains to transfer to the Houston train. I remained on the same train going to Dallas. Before their departure the three always had words with the Conductors, who noted these handsome three
“Big” gentlemen, saying “make sure you take good care of our little sister who gets off in Hawkins”! Trust me the Conductors were startled, however noted what had been said!

Our close relationships remained throughout graduate and professional school, marriage and family lives. We were happy for each other’s accomplishments and communicated when we could by telephone. Mitch and I relished having our daughters whom we both named Melanie. When I traveled from Ethiopia to Texas, if I stopped in Atlanta, I toured the business, became
aware of the program to supply computers throughout the public schools. Piggy and Mitch treated me with a healthy lunch and saw that I got safely to the airport for my flight to Dallas.

April 28-May 21, 2005 our classmates were back in Nashville for our 50th Class Reunion at Fisk. As always this was a great time to unite knowing that we had lost few of our graduating class and that most of us were fairly healthy, some wealthy, and all generally well. The Campus looked beautiful, and green. We were all happy about the leadership from President O’Leary despite Challenges she had experienced, in her attempt to overcome a serious fiscal Institutional crisis. The leadership of Mitch and classmate, Grace Driver, most of us cooperating with them with timely contributions, allowed our class to make the largest Class Reunion gift ever in the history of Fisk University! The excitement that night at the banquet was ecstatic! I will never forget it.

A historic and National treasure is our Fisk University Chapel. We were attending the baccalaureate service Sunday morning. There was special seating for the Goldens. Piggie, Mitch, myself, my husband Richard, Cynthia Rawls Bond, her husband Maltimore, Virginia Phillips Roney, and her husband Darrell were sitting on a row together. Before the service began, we were quietly chatting. Mitch said to me quietly ”Adah, you are the youngest of our classmates, and you have been without grey hair for thirty years. Look at me, Piggy, Cynthia and Virgie. We are the only ones with grey hair! Look at our other classmates, the same age or older, while they look good, they don’t have any grey hair like us!” I said, “Bob, not to worry,
One day if they choose, they may have it..... It is not their time yet! ...........When it was “our time”, we just let it go, because we all look good!
God has decided it was time for Mitch to come home, join his best friend Piggy, Dear Harriette, Brother Judson.  We will surely miss him as a dear and Wonderful friend, classmate of Fisk, 1955. I am still trying to accept this sad news.
May Sookie and The Mitchem family have the strength they need to be strong.

Blessings and love,
              Adah and Richard Pierce

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