Harold Mitchell Stinson

Harold Mitchell Stinson, age 60, of Atkins, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 4, 2026, after a brief illness. Harold was a familiar face to many in Pope County, and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, good food, and steady friendship.

Born November 22, 1965, in Russellville, Harold graduated from Atkins High School in 1983, where he ran track and played trumpet in the band. After a short stint working at the tire plant in Morrilton, he returned to Atkins and opened Mitchell’s Diner on Oak Street in 1990. Over the years, he fed generations of locals and travelers alike, always with a warm greeting and his famous cornbread.

Harold married Leslie Ann (nee McKay) in 1992. Though they had no children, Harold’s family grew large through a close circle of friends, many of whom considered him like a brother or uncle. He was a long-time member of Grace Methodist Church and often the very first to show up with a casserole when anyone in town was in need, no matter the hour. His squash casseroles and chicken-stuffed peppers were well-known staples at church suppers, funerals, and new baby celebrations alike.

Outside of the diner, Harold tended what many called the best vegetable garden in Pope County. He could often be found at dusk with a garden fork and a basket, eager to share okra, tomatoes, or sweet corn with neighbors and friends. He never let a zucchini go to waste, and always claimed the secret was talking to the plants every morning. Harold enjoyed fishing on Lake Atkins, playing dominoes at the fire hall, and spending quiet evenings on his porch with Leslie and friends.

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Leslie Ann Stinson of Atkins; his older sister, Martha Ellen Ray (Tom) of Morrilton; his niece Rachel Ray of Conway; and a wide circle of devoted friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bonnie Stinson.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foster-McBride Funeral Home in Atkins. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Grace Methodist Church, with burial at Atkins City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to make donations in Harold’s memory to the Atkins Food Pantry.