The Cherokee County Commission has adopted a resolution designating a portion of Cherokee County Road Number 43 “The J.E. (Erskine) Mitchell Memorial Highway” in honor of a local businessman who passed away earlier this year for his many contributions to his community.

The commission adopted the resolution during its Monday, Aug. 27 before a host of Mitchell’s friends, family members and loved ones in the Cherokee County Commission meeting room.

The resolution noted how J.E. “Erskine” Mitchell distinguished himself as a “larger than life active participant and leader of his beloved Sand Rock, Alabama Community residing more than 77 years therein”

Mitchell, during his lifetime, as stated in the resolution, was one of the founders and organizers of the first Pee Wee football team in the Sand Rock Community and was an integral part and driving force in the return and reinstatement of high school football at Sand Rock High School, having been a standout football player at said high school.

Mitchell was a leading force and officer for many years in the Sand Rock Athletic Club and the Sand Rock Parents and Teachers Association, the resolution states.

Mitchell served the United States of America as a member of the U.S. Army Alabama National Guard.

Throughout his adult life, Mitchell continued to support his beloved Cherokee County, the Sand Rock and Tuckers Chapel Communities by supporting and sponsoring the Sand Rock sports programs, youth sports teams, donating countless hours of labor and use of his personal construction equipment for the preparation and beautification of the property and grounds of Sand Rock School, churches and cemeteries in the Sand Rock and Tuckers Chapel Communities.

Mitchell, the resolution states, is a member of one of the first families to settle in the Sand Rock Community and was an early supporter of the incorporation of the Town of Sand Rock, Alabama and organized and established his auction business named Mid-States Auction Company, Inc. within the Sand Rock and Tucker Chapel Communities.

The resolution noted that Mitchell was a dedicated and leading farmer, businessman, Mason and a loving father and husband and grandfather.

He tirelessly promoted his beloved Cherokee County, Sand Rock and Tuckers Chapel Communities and The State of Alabama providing his airplane and piloting services free of charge to transport elected officials of Cherokee County and the State of Alabama in their travels to recruit business and industry for Cherokee County and the State of Alabama, said the resolution.

Mitchell died a resident of Cherokee County at his home Feb. 21, 2012.

The Cherokee County Commission, as the governing body of Cherokee County, in honor and memory of Mitchell, the resolution states, deems it appropriate to designate and name a portion of Cherokee County Road Number 43 the J.E. “Erskine” Mitchell Memorial Highway.

The Cherokee County Commission “does hereby resolve, declare and designate that the portion of Cherokee County Road Number 43 from the point of intersection of Cherokee county Road 49 and Cherokee county Road Number 43 to the point of intersection of Cherokee County Road Number 53 and Cherokee County Road Number 43 shall henceforth be named The J.E. “ERSKINE” MITCHELL MEMORIAL HIGHWAY and the Cherokee County Highway Department shall erect appropriate road signs designating such memorial.”

“I want to first express my appreciation to this family and also the many long years of service Mr. Erskine Mitchell gave to our county,” said Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Melvyn Salter.

“I came here in 1976 and not too long after that, I met Mr. Mitchell and I have seen the work he has contributed to our county,”

“I appreciate Mr. Erskine and I appreciate his family and their support,” said Cherokee County Commissioner Elbert St. Clair.

“The county lost a fine man in Mr. Erskine,” said Cherokee County Commissioner Carlton “Bubba” Teague. “Ever since I was a young boy, I have been with my father to a lot of auctions with Mr. Erskine. It seems that people like Mr. Erskine are fewer and more far in between.”

“I am proud we can do this for somebody who has made a positive difference in Cherokee County,” said Commissioner Wade Sprouse.

“I know it says a lot about a person when you get your name on a road,” said Commissioner Kimball Parker.

“He has done a lot of good things for his county and community. We are proud we are able to do it.”

Attorney Dean Buttram Jr. credited Tom Roan who was one of the moving forces behind getting this portion of road designated in honor of Mitchell.