Dr. Carl Edward Mitchell, age 90, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025, after a good, long life. He and Mona Hinson Mitchell, wife and friend for 65 years, had three children: Steve, Scott, and Kristin of Nashville.
He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Presley Mitchell.
Carl is the favorite brother of Carol Aileen Rehder of Nashville and Barbara Jean Anthony of Alexandria, LA. Grandchildren are King Henderson and Cooper Viars. First cousins Sam Mitchell, John Mitchell, and Mary Jo Presley Adkins.
He was the first child of Clyde “Musty” Mitchell and Aileen Presley Mitchell Claypool, born in Carbondale, Illinois, on June 4, 1935, raised in West Frankfort and Herrin, IL, coal mining towns of caring families, good schools, and churches providing abundant play. There, he was an athlete and began a life-long love of the out of doors.
His father, Clyde, was an athlete, talented moral businessman, champion of all children, a reconciling political civic church activist, and integrator of schools. His mother, Aileen, was a teacher, promoter of an accepting, affirming religion, accomplished musician whose best song was her laughter.
Mona and Carl met in 1960 in the Heart Clinic at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. Their life together has been the center of each of their journeys as they worked together raising a family and caring for their medical practice, with special fun on their farm, gardening, Center Hill Lake, Hutchinson Island, FL, books, her culinary talent, and dancing.
Carl had an excellent college experience (10 years) at Washington University (St. Louis). He was in honorary societies four years, President of the Junior Honorary, putting on a community carnival, and as a Senior, Carl was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) and was a Rhodes Scholar semi-finalist. Additionally, Carl was Chairman of the National Student YMCA (the ecumenical program of the Student Christian Movement), advocated for the integration of churches and student housing, advocated for the feminist movement, and raised awareness of poverty abatement options.
Carl graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1961 and finished his MD Internal Medicine residencies at Vanderbilt University, entering private practice in 1966 in Nashville. He enjoyed teaching clinical medicine for Vandy and UT for 25 years as Assistant Clinical Professor, was active in medical affairs at Baptist Hospital, including Chief of Internal Medicine and Baptist Healthcare Group, numerous committees for the Nashville Academy of Medicine, delegate to Tennessee Medical Association, and President of the Middle Tennessee Medical Association. Carl was founding Chairman of the non-profit The Healing Trust, which provided training to professional caregivers and clergy about recognizing and caring for those affected by abuse.
Carl had many serious interests (fun is serious business too): The farm, Center Hill Lake (Four Seasons), water and social gatherings, hiking, hunting and fishing, evolutionary biology, non-religious spiritual living, reading, writing, recovery of addicts, help to adults suffering from childhood deprivation and abuse, non-violent approaches to conflict, genealogy, golf for fun, dancing, beneficiary of being with Mona, friends at Ocean Village, Hutchinson Island, FL.
Missed will be Mona, family, friends, and of course: woods and hikes, dogs and other critters, dirt and growing things, reading and writing, wondering about the future of climate change and evolution. Carl will be profoundly missed — by Mona, his family, and all who were blessed to know him.
His quiet strength, compassion, and unwavering devotion to healing and understanding touched countless lives. The community he loved and served is better because of his kindness, his integrity, and his belief in the goodness of people. His spirit endures in the hearts of those he taught, healed, and loved — and in the living legacy of family, friendship, and service he leaves behind.
Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Monday, October 20th, at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, at Woodmont Christian Church. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with services beginning at 12:00 p.m. in the main chapel. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
Flowers are beautiful and romantic, though not precious to Carl E. Mitchell. Donations may instead be made to a cause worthwhile — one that uplifts, heals, and serves others in the spirit of his life’s work.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
The Tennessee Medical Foundation — 5141 Virginia Way, Suite 110, Brentwood, TN 37027
The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine — 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900,
Nashville, TN 37203 (Attention: Gifts and Donation Services)
Washington University School of Medicine — 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110
National Public Radio (NPR) — 630 Mainstream Dr., Nashville, TN 37228
For more obituaries, visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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