John R. Mitchem was born to Richard H. Mitchem and Mary Carolyn Burnett Mitchem on January 11, 1938 in Helena, Alabama.  He was the fourth of six children comprised of three girls and three boys.  First born were two sisters Mary and Doris, then a brother Richard, followed by John Robert and the two younger siblings, a brother Charles and sister Gwendolyn.  He united with Bethel A.M.E. church in Helena Alabama at an early age.  He was educated in the public schools of Alabama and graduated from Prentice High School in Montevallo, Alabama.

 

He had a love for music! Growing up as a teenager, he sang in a group known as the Mitchem/Burnett Boys with brothers Richard and Charles Mitchem, as well as cousins Clinton, William, and Joe Burnett.

 

John relocated to Chicago in 1956 and worked at SWIFT Meat Packing Company as a butcher.  It was in Chicago where he found his wife and was married to Mertha Shelby in 1961.  Their union produced no children and less than five years later the marriage was dissolved.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1961, and was in active duty until August 1963 when he received an honorable discharge.  He then enlisted in the U.S. reserves from 1963 to 1967.  John relocated to Los Angeles in 1985, where he met longtime companion, Faye Springfield.

It was there that the Internal Revenue Service employed him and he worked in the warehouse until he retired in 2007. His coworkers enjoyed working with John, and he was affectionately referred to as “Mitch”.

 

John united with West Angeles Church of God In Christ where he became a faithful member and sang in multiple choirs including the Cathedral Chorale Choir, the Revelations Choir, and the Mass choir.

 

Two sisters Mary Wilson and Doris Tucker fondly survive John, along with nieces including Rhonda, Carol, Rita, Gina, Carmelita, Vonette, Jasmine, Regina, and Bridgett: nephews André, Andrew, and Robert. A large extended family of cousins, great nieces and nephews, as well as many loyal friends and neighbors will also cherish a lifetime of precious memories.

 

“We love you John, but GOD loved you best.  You will forever be missed!”