Albert Mitchell

Albert Mitchell, of Philadelphia, was born on December 29, 1946, to the late James and Sarah Mitchell. He was the fourth oldest of his parents’ eight children. Albert graduated from Overbrook High School and served in the US military. Albert studied the Bible with Benny Thompson in North Philadelphia, and then symbolized his dedication by baptism on July 22, 1977, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Less than two years after his baptism, Albert began his career in full-time service on May 25, 1979. On that same date, he became a member of the Bethel family at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brooklyn, NY. He was appointed as elder in 1984 and served as such until his death. For 29 years he served at the Brooklyn, NY branch, working in the bindery, shipping, maintenance, and transportation offices, and in the carpentry, production, sheet metal, and HVAC plumbing shops until July 28, 2008. He was known by his Bethel family as being willing, hard-working, generous, and kind, and was known for his good sense of humor. After leaving Bethel, he was associated with the Central Portuguese and Central Kabuverdianu congregations in Boston and later served in the Fairmount Park Congregation in Philadelphia and continued his special full-time service until his death. In total, Albert served one month shy of 46 years in special full-time service, which includes his 40 years as a congregation elder. He spoke English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Kabuverdianu (Cape Verdean) Creole.

Albert had many likes, such as suits, coffee, Pat’s beer, unsalted chips, hoagies, and Motown. However, just by his conversation you could tell what was most important was his relationship with Jehovah God.

Albert peacefully fell asleep in death on April 9, 2025, after a difficult battle with Lewy body dementia. Even though his memory of many things diminished, he never forgot about Jehovah. He would always talk about God’s promise found in the Bible of perfect life without sin and death.

Albert was loved by not only his family but also the friends in the congregations he served. Though he never married or had children of his own, he was especially loved by the younger sisters, who felt drawn to him because of his laid-back, kind, and funny demeanor and his honesty. He was always quick to compliment and slow to judge or criticize. He wanted to get the facts, but once he ascertained them, he wasn’t afraid to speak up. He was humble and wanted everyone to feel comfortable around him; he always used to love saying, “Just one more day closer to the new world.” “Alberto VO5,” he was affectionately called by his friends in the congregation. All of us who loved Albert, Alberto V05, and Uncle Al will miss him dearly and are looking forward to seeing him again in the new world.

Albert was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward, Daisey, Barbara, Freddie, and Sandy, and nephew Thomas Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his siblings James Jr. and Marie Mitchell, his nieces and nephews Windy, Freddie, MaLinda, Chyron, Gregory, Michael, Steven, Kevin, Derrick, Keisha, Antonio, Kyra, Tyrelle, Sara, and a host of other family members and dear friends.

The family will be holding a memorial service to celebrate Albert’s life on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses–Haverford (607 N. 43rd St. #601 Phila., PA 19104) Please join his family and friends as they remember and honor him.

A viewing for Albert will be held on Monday, April 28th at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. 6711 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19135 (between Unruh & Knorr St.) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Following the viewing, Albert will be laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.