Rahsaan David Mitchell

July 17, 1971 – August 4, 2026

August 4, 2026

Rahsaan David Mitchell entered eternal rest, surrounded by family and friends, on August 4, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn Jasper and David B. Mitchell, Jr.; his maternal grandparents, Ida Christian and John Jacob Jasper; and paternal grandparents, Catherine Johnson and David B. Mitchell, Sr.

Known affectionately as “Rock” to family and friends, Rahsaan was born on July 17, 1971, in Richmond, Virginia to David and Carolyn Mitchell. Because his mother was the youngest of eight, and the firstborn of his parents’ union, Rahsaan enjoyed endless doting and fussiness over him at an early age. Growing up, he enjoyed spending endless hours with his cousins riding Big Wheels and playing outside his Grandmother Ida’s house on Northside. To avoid taking a nap after hours of playing, Rahsaan would watch The Young and the Restless with his grandmother. From this early introduction, Rahsaan continued to watch “the stories” even as he grew older, switching from The Young and the Restless to Days of Our Lives. Rahsaan welcomed his sister, Rashida, into his world and she lovingly accepted the role of sidekick, steady playmate, and protector at home and out in the world. Three years apart, Rahsaan and Rashida enjoyed family trips to amusement parks, Disney, Myrtle Beach and Nags Head. Rahsaan paved the way for his sister in so many ways and she followed.

Rahsaan had a fun childhood and made lifelong friends wherever he went - from grade school to neighborhoods where he lived to recreational sports teams, such as Va Randolph, where he played Midget and Juniors football. He had a ritual before his Saturday football games: he would tape up his cleats and markup household washcloths with his #22 while his sister watched in awe and his parents in loving frustration. He was a serious little league football player, imitating moves of his favorite players of his beloved Dallas Cowboys as much as he could.

Rahsaan attended Richmond Public Schools and was a standout at every level. He excelled in grade school, playing the drums in the Ginter Park Elementary Band and serving as a Safety Patrol. Rahsaan continued to participate in clubs and extracurricular activities through middle school, joining an industrial arts club and starting his school basketball career at Henderson Middle. While at John Marshall High School, Rahsaan was a member of SIDAP, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and played on the John Marshall JV and Varsity basketball teams.

Rahsaan was later admitted into the University of Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1993. While at The University, Rahsaan became known as the guy with a bright smile and a warm and fun personality. His 1st Year at The University as a “Man of Emmett” was a memorable one for him and his family. His family enjoyed visiting him and attending Parent Weekends where his parents would beam with pride and his sister with admiration. Rahsaan played Intramural Basketball in his early years at UVA and later, was chosen to be a walk-on to the Men’s Basketball team, a noteworthy accomplishment and undoubtedly the proudest moment of his college journey. Although he didn’t expect to get much playing time, his smile and encouragement to his teammates was always present and his enthusiasm was contagious. He found happiness and peace on the basketball court and continued to play basketball for as long as he could, always supporting Virginia basketball through alumni events and gatherings with his teammates. Rahsaan never gave up on his love for the game or his favorite teams, his ‘Hoos and his Lakers. He and his

Dad, a staunch Boston Celtics fan, would watch games together and talk trash to each other every time they played, which always provided much laughter in the Mitchell household.

Rahsaan’s early friendships continued to blossom and remained steady over the years. His Richmond circle, the Sherwood Park Crew, provided a solid mix of older and younger friends, who would help to shape Rahsaan’s teen years and beyond. Rahsaan would spend days across Brookland Parkway playing basketball, enjoying the neighborhood pool, playing football on Sundays and Thanksgiving Day, and later, once older, enjoying trips to Detroit, Atlanta, CIAA tourneys, the Kentucky Derby, hanging out with friends at local bars and cigar lounges, and a number of other events and places. He introduced his college friends to his hometown friends, ensuring that connection was always there amongst the friends he treasured the most. He was always on the move, always seeking opportunities to enjoy life.

After graduating from UVA, Rahsaan not only chose the career that he would find to be his calling, but he became the father of two, Jonah and Jaela. Becoming a father changed Rahsaan’s use of his “free” time - always being present in the lives and activities of his children. A proud Dad, and their biggest cheerleader, Rahsaan was determined to be that which was modeled for him throughout his own life.

As a qualified mental health counselor, having worked as a counselor for St. Joseph’s Villa, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and most recently with Influential Family Services, Rahsaan knew what it meant to serve as a light to others and demonstrated his love for people and concern about their well-being, both professionally and personally. His legacy of friendship, his bright smile and warm laugh, his love for his family, and his ability to make everyone feel seen and appreciated will never be forgotten. He will forever be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Rahsaan leaves to cherish his loving memory: sister, Rashida; son, Jonah; daughter, Jaela; nephew, Dinari; maternal aunt, Vivian Jasper Johnson; maternal uncle, Calvin M. Jasper; paternal aunt, Rosa Lee Taylor; dear friends; high school and college classmates; and a host of cousins from the Knight, Jasper, Cousins, Geter, and Mitchell families.