Michael Wayne Mitchell passed away in Regional One facility in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, after an extended illness.

Michael was born prematurely in Huntsville, Alabama, on Jan. 28, 1962 weighing 2 pound, 6 ounces. He grew up in Fayetteville in Lincoln County, Tennessee. During his adolescence, he was diagnosed with Goodpasture Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that attacked his kidneys and would require he have dialysis treatments until his first transplant in the late 1970s. Even with this challenge, he graduated in 1980 with his classmates in the first graduating class of Lincoln County High School. He then went to Southwest University in Memphis for one year until his body rejected the donor kidney, requiring him to once again begin dialysis treatment. After receiving his second kidney transplant in 1982, he continued his undergraduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985. He then attended the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis, Tennessee and received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1988.

Michael loved Memphis and decided to make it his home. After graduating law school, Michael worked, then became partner in, the general practice firm of Weissman, Ostrow and Mitchell from 1992 until 2011. He then joined the firm of Gentry, Arnold & Mitchell, PLLC in 2012. Though his primary focus was bankruptcy law, his practice also included domestic law, general civil litigation, as well as criminal misdemeanor and traffic defense. He also frequently sat as special judge in Shelby County Civil General Sessions Court. One of Michael’s colleagues said it best, “Mike’s sarcasm and humor was welcome in an otherwise serious environment. We were together for many years in part because Mike was dependable and had a fine legal mind.” Truly from birth until death, he never met a challenge, physical or otherwise, he did not tackle head on. Michael lived a life full of purpose and dedication to his work and those he represented.

Michael was a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation and strived to educate and encourage those who also faced physical challenges. Michael will be remembered for his love of life, devotion to family, friends, clients and colleagues, sharp sense of humor and deep kindness to all. He will be missed by all, including his beloved dog, Thor.

Survivors include his sisters, Pam (Mike) Gentry and Patricia Mitchell; nephews, Michael Brandon (Kristi) Gentry and Edward Jerrell “Scooter” Taylor; niece Kim (Ben) Smith; and many other extended family members and friends. Michael was preceded in death by parents, James Henry Mitchell and Janice Halcomb Bolner.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.