Rev. Melvin Dean Mitchem

Obituary: Rev. Dean Mitchem, 61, of Kannapolis died Monday September 28, 2009 at the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. He was born November 6, 1947 in Gaston County, the son of Melvin Clyde Mitchem of Newport, Tn. and the late Margaret Edith Armstrong Mitchem. He was a 1966 graduate of Belmont Sr. High School. He then graduated from Western Piedmont Bible Institute. He was pastor of Richlands First Freewill Baptist Church in Richlands for 4 years before moving to Kannapolis and becoming the pastor at Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church for the past 21 years. Above all, he loved preaching and teaching the word of God. He also was a member of the Carolina Region Plymouth Owners Club. His funeral service will be 7:00 PM Thursday (Oct. 1, 2009) at Ben Ave. Freewill Baptist Church officiated by Rev. James Pauley, Rev. Weldon Key, and Rev. Randy Arrowood. Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday at the Salisbury National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to7 PM Thursday at the church prior to services. In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Nancy Gibson Mitchem, two sons: Brian Keith Mitchem and wife Tracey of Kannapolis, and David Andrew Mitchem of Kannapolis, two sisters: Brenda Sue Helton and Gwendolyn Waddle both of Belmont, 4 grandchildren and 2 stepgrandchildren. In lieu of flowers,memorials may be made to Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church % 613 Ben Ave. Kannapolis, NC 28081. Whitley's Funeral Home handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church

Service: 7:00 pm, Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church

Interment: 10:00 am, Friday, October 2, 2009, at Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC