2506572310.jpg &&& THEY CALLED James B. Mitchell a "prayer warrior." He got the title by his unstinting devotion to the power of prayer, which he practiced in whatever situation he found himself in - on the job, at church, taking care of the sick and shut-ins, and with family and friends. Long devoted to the Baptist faith, James was an ordained deacon and a man who used his musical talents and his joyful singing in the churches of the city. Deacon James, former employee of the Allenwood Steel Co. and the Tasty Baking Co., Army veteran and community activist, died Feb. 16. He was 89 and lived in Mount Airy. He was born in Saluda, S.C., the oldest of eight children. He had an idyllic childhood, playing baseball in the big field across from his home, fishing in the creeks. He was baptized in a spring-fed pool on the grounds of his church in Saluda. There he taught himself to play the church organ and the harmonica. He also developed his gift for belting out gospel music, a practice he carried with him all his life. After completing his education in Saluda, he moved to Conshohocken where he worked for Allenwood Steel. He relished the fact that he was helping lay the foundation for Lankenau Hospital. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Army. After the war, he returned to Conshohocken, but began spending much of his time and money visiting his girlfriend, Ida Clarke, in Philadelphia. The commute came to an end when they married on Oct. 6, 1945, and bought a home in North Philadelphia. The house was only a few blocks from Connie Mack Stadium, where James began his lifelong passion for the Phillies. In 1949, he went to work for the Tasty Baking Co., where he became a supervisor of service and sanitation, and a driver for the vending department. He retired after 45 years. Always a hard worker, James couldn't face retirement. He became a part-time driver for the Blind Relief Fund. Driving the sight-impaired to their various destinations gave him a lot of satisfaction, his family said. While residing in North Philadelphia, James and his family joined Foster Memorial Baptist Church. There he was ordained a deacon and served in many church ministries. After the family moved to Mount Airy, they joined Thankful Baptist Church. He served as treasurer of the Deacon Board, taught Sunday school and sang in the Male Chorus, the Jubilee Chorus and the Sanctuary Choir. He was former president of the Pennsylvania Baptist Laymen's Association. James regularly visited the sick and shut-ins, offering prayer and words of consolation. "He would remind them to always keep a prayer in their hearts," his family said. In the communities where he lived, he served as a block captain, and worked the polls at elections. He was a neighborhood Boy Scout commissioner, a Big Brother, and participated in Town Watch. James was also an active Mason. He was granted the title of "Stalwart Trailblazer" by Campbell-Washington-Joppa Lodge 37. He was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, which awarded him a life membership in 2006 for 50 years of service. "Deacon Mitchell was not only loved by his family, but by his church and community as well," his family said. "Most who knew him will always remember his storytelling, the ways he praised the Lord through prayer and song, but mostly the encouraging words he would express to all." His wife died in 1997. He is survived by three daughters, Gwen Williams, Aurie Haithcox and Joyce Mitchell; a brother, Daniel; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Services: Were yesterday. Burial was in Ivy Hill Cemetery.