LANCASTER, SC :::::::::: Mr. Edward Mitchell, Jr., age 72, died Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Springs Memorial Hospital. He was born August 28, 1939 in Washington, DC and his family then moved to Bennettsville, SC when he was six. Mr. Mitchell is the son of the late Edward Lyon Mitchell, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Breeden Mitchell and was the husband of Suzanne Tindal Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was a graduate of Furman University and also earned a degree in International Studies from Thunderbird School of Global Management, he had worked as a claim adjuster for Aetna Life Insurance and served our great country in the US Air Force Intelligence for six years during the Vietnam War. Edward had many and varied interests including history and current evens, animal welfare, non-fiction, antiques and classical music. He was tri-lingual and in his early 30's earned his private pilot's license. Edward dearly loved Suzanne, his wife of nearly 40 years, his sisters, brother and sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and the cats who brought him such joy and comfort. He was a very kind, gentle and thoughtful person with a sharp sense of humor. His love of animals reflected in his rescue and adoption of animals in need and this love and respect were also reflected in his 24 years as a vegetarian. Edward's passing leaves a void in the lives of many people who knew and loved him. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susanne Tindal Mitchell of the home, and 2 sisters, Mary Mitchell Cheatham and husband Dr. Joseph Cheatham of Columbia, and Lynn M. Kohn of Durham. A Memorial Service will be scheduled for a later day and the family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, 3101 E. Great Marsh Church Road, St. Pauls, NC 28384 or any other animal welfare charities.