Mitchell Overend

Mitchell John Overend, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed
away on September 19th, 2026, two months shy of his 78th birthday. Mitch was
born on November 18th, 1948, in Sumter, South Carolina, to Walter John and
Jessie Jones Overend. He graduated from the University of Georgia and in 1975
he began a career as a landscape architect with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. He settled at the Richard B. Russell Project in 1990, and continued
working there until his retirement in 2006.

During over 30 years of civil service, Mitch’s work left a lasting imprint on the
places and communities he served. He had a deep appreciation for the natural
world and left everywhere more beautiful than he found it — including his farm in
Washington, Georgia where he built his home and lived in a community of
treasured friends for more than 35 years.

Those who knew Mitch will remember his independence, his easy smile, his sly
sense of humor, and his love of the outdoors and pleasure he took in sharing it
with friends, neighbors, and their children. He especially loved hunting, fishing,
boating, golf, riding motorcycles, and watching Georgia win football games.

Mitch’s father Walt was a highly-decorated pilot who flew Spitfires during World
War II. Mitch was very proud of his service and maintained a fascination with
WWII throughout his life, culminating in a 2022 trip to England where he flew a
Spitfire over the same fields as his dad.

Mitch was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Ruth. He is
survived by his stepmother Elaine; his brother, Matt; his niece, Cambra; and
many cousins, extended family members, and close friends and neighbors. A
celebration of his life will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation.

Mitch lived his life to the fullest. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew
him.