Committed to Christ and each other

By David B. Burks, chancellor

My wife, Leah, and I loved Carl and Frankie Mitchell very much. We established a close bond very early in our relationship, and we were privileged to travel with them overseas on many occasions. Carl and Frankie were spiritual giants and mentors for us.

One of the first projects that I worked closely on with Dr. Mitchell was the development of plans for the McInteer Bible and World Missions Center. He and I both wanted it to be the centerpiece of our work at Harding, and we worked to create a facility emphasizing world missions. Carl was always interested in sharing the good news of Christ to everyone. In fact, it seems to me that missions and the names Carl and Frankie Mitchell simply are synonymous.

Carl also was extremely interested in counseling. He helped establish the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Harding and insisted that I put this program into place. I seldom said no to Carl Mitchell.

Early on, I realized that Carl had a passion for encouraging people everywhere to read the entire Bible every year. Carl produced a daily Bible reading schedule, including it in his Christmas cards and giving it to his friends. Before coming to Harding, he had sponsored a steak dinner in other places where he had preached for those who had read through the Bible. He asked me to work with him in that regard, and we started having a steak dinner for Harding and College church, which continues today. Carl was quite particular and wanted the steaks cooked in just exactly the right way, and he seldom thought my way was the right way.

He loved our international programs and was instrumental in starting our work in Italy, Harding’s first program overseas. Carl was one of the strongest proponents of our being involved in international education. On numerous occasions, we were privileged to travel to these campuses with Carl and Frankie, and they were always our guides.

One personal trip that I’ll always remember was a cruise to the Baltic Sea. While on the ship, as was Carl’s custom, he had a notice placed in the ship’s paper that on Sunday we would have the Lord’s Supper for anyone who wanted to come. We thought we might have five to six people in addition to the four of us. We ended up having 40 people at our service.

I loved working with Frankie in human resources. She worked for Lott Tucker, who was an icon at Harding, and only Frankie could “out Lott” Lott Tucker. Not just anybody could do that. I could hear Frankie coming down the hallway before she ever arrived. She had a contagious personality.

On a more personal note, I seldom ever said the name Carl without saying Frankie. They were simply inseparable. They loved each other, believed in each other, believed in the work of the Lord’s kingdom and were an example for many because of their commitment.

Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter in the Bible. It contains a roll call of men and women who made an eternal difference through their lives of faith. If such a list were being written today, I believe Carl and Frankie Mitchell would be included among the inspiring examples of trust and endurance. In the fourth verse of chapter 11, the writer mentions Abel and observes, “And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” This is the very definition of legacy. I believe that, through faith, Carl and Frankie Mitchell still speak to us today, and they will for decades to come. Heaven has gained a wonderful couple.

Carl G. Mitchell , 92, of Mesquite, Texas, died Dec. 19, 2018. He was followed by his wife of 65 years, Frances Rotramel (’91), 90, on Jan. 6, 2019. Carl earned a bachelor’s and master’s from Pepperdine University and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-46. Carl worked in higher education for more than 40 years. At Harding, he was dean of the College of Bible and Religion from 1989-2006. Earlier, he was a tenured professor and administrator at Pepperdine. He was active in ministry with churches of Christ, serving churches in Italy, California and Arkansas. He also was a licensed marriage and family therapist. Frankie was director of human resources at Harding from 1991-96. They are survived by three children, Michelle Glover (’80), Mickey (’85) and Cary; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.