Tonya DePriest Mitchell’s Journey
Tonya DePriest Mitchell is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She is the oldest of two girls to Deacon Harold W. DePriest and the late Harriette Kelley DePriest on March 31.
Tonya DePriest Mitchell attended Henderson Middle School and graduated from John Marshal High School, Richmond, Virginia (1980). She continued her education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia, North Carolina Bible College and Apex School of Theology, Durham, North Carolina. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia (2025).
Tonya DePriest Mitchell married the late Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Mitchell in August. 27, 1986 at the Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, Sandston, Virginia. She has two daughters; Marya Jeanette and Latoya Jasmin; two grandchildren, Malachi Jerome, and Lauren Kathleen.
Tonya DePriest Mitchell moved to Durham, North Carolina with her husband and daughters in July 1996 as the First Family at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. On April 21, 2002, she preached her initial sermon at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and was ordained as Executive Pastor of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship in 2005.
Tonya DePriest Mitchell ministry gift of Administration has given her the special ability to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a ministry or business. She visualizes, organize, and executes plans to accomplish those goals. She has held the following positions: Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Associate Minister, Worship Leader, Conference Coordinator at Riley Hill Baptist Church, Wendall, North Carolina, Media Ministry Chairperson, Office Manager at the Law Offices of James D Williams, and Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the Construction and Capital Planning Department, Durham Public Schools, Durham, North Carolina. Currently she works as a Registrar for Chesterfield Public School System, Chesterfield, Virginia.
Tonya DePriest Mitchell is the CEO/ President of LiHeaPro (Life, Health, and Prosperity) Inc., a ministry that raises awareness, promotes education, and inspires action to prevent and combat heart disease, cancer, mental health challenges, and the ongoing impacts of COVID through empowering individuals and communities to live healthier, more resilient lives.
Tonya DePriest Mitchell's long term goal is to build a home that is dedicated to supporting teen mothers ages 12 – 22, helping them to be successful, strong women capable of raising healthy, happy children. It will have an emphasis on educating them to thrive independently while learning critical life skills that are necessary in building a beautiful future with their families in their communities.
