MATTHEW MITCHELL was born on February 20, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York to Harvey Mitchell, Sr. and Geraldine Williams. He departed this life on Saturday, May 8, 2021, due to a fatal car accident.
MATT, as he was affectionately known, was educated in the New York City Public School system, where he learned several skills, as well as played football during high school. MATT was always a happy child growing up. He had several nicknames, such as “Mr. Moonie” and “Hemo,” given to him by his Aunt Sandra and his Uncle Meat “James Ruth.” As a young child, MATT, as well as his brother, Harvey, Jr., and his sister, Joan Makeba, came to live with their paternal grandparents. He loved his Grandmother Elaine and would always say, “he was her number one,” because she was always protecting him from everyone.
During his teenage years, MATT met Tyeesha McDonald and they began to date. His first child, Monique, was born during this relationship and soon after their son, Tyshawn. In 1997, MATT joined the U.S. Army and after serving two years, he received an honorable discharge. Later, MATT moved to Georgia to be with his brother, Harvey and eventually moved to Florida, where he attended Seminole State College Center. After several years of living in Florida, he returned to New York where he began his working career. MATT worked at several organizations, including one in Connecticut, where he met Kimberly James. They had two children, Nasir and Imani, during this relationship.
After many years of working hard and taking care of his family, Matt decided he needed a change and moved to Temperanceville, Virginia to be closer to his grandfather. Although Virginia was a slower pace than what he was used to, he decided to stay and make a life for himself, developing a fondness for peace and quiet and a place where his children could visit.
MATT was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Rufus and Oleavie Mitchell; grandmother, Elaine Mitchell; and brother, Harvey Mitchell, Jr.
MATT leaves to cherish his memory: his father, Harvey Mitchell, Sr.; mother, Geraldine Williams; two sons, Tyshawn and Nasir Mitchell; three daughters, Monique, Imani, and Madison Mitchell; five brothers, Alonzo Jones, Brice, Lorenzo, Troy, and Christian Williams; four sisters, Joan Makeba Guiterrez, Ashley, Venus, and Marjorie Williams; grandfather, John Mitchell; grandmother, Joanne Teel; one brother-in-law; one sister-in-law; several nieces and nephews; one great-nephew; companion, Tasha Corbin; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.
God saw you getting weary, so He did what He knew best,
He came and stood beside you, and whispered, come and rest.
You wished no one a last farewell, nor did you say goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.
When God called you to rest, you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.