Mitchell Darrell Valentine, 53, of Atlanta, GA, suddenly departed this life on Monday, October 26, 2009.

He was the son of the late Leonard, Sr. and Annie Gooden Valentine. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Barnett.

He was a member of the Community Bible Church in Stockbridge. During his lifetime he also lived in the Charleston, WV and Roanoke, VA areas. Mitchell graduated from WV State College with a degree in Health and Physical Education. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He held a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. Immediately after graduating from college he entered the school system being a teacher and coach at Mt. Zion, Jefferson Forest, Glenn Rogers, Bedford, Liberty, Addison, Patrick Henry and St. Albans schools.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his loving wife, Dianne; daughters, Melissa Beckett of San Francisco, CA and Michelen (Wade) Murray of So. Charleston, WV; brothers, John (Pam) Valentine of Dunbar, WV, Leonard "Jack" (Linda) Valentine of Mechanicsville, VA and Norman Tate of Voorhees, NJ; one brother-in-law, Ben Barnett of Roanoke, VA; 4 grandchildren, Bryce, Zyke, Zyon and Zavien; stepchildren, Heather (Rob) Balsam, Shanna (Matt) Wright and Elizabeth Cowan and 4 step-grandchildren, Ayden, Emily, Luke and Evan, all from Atlanta, GA; his faithful canine, Mickie and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service is being held at Ford Stewart Funeral Home in Jonesboro, GA. Additional services will be held at 12 P.M., Monday, November 2, at the Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church in Dunbar, with entombment following in Grandview Memorial Park.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, WV.