Mr. Mizell, the son of Hope Hull Mizell and his wife, Josephine Beard Mizell, was born at Haw Ridge near Elba on October 13, 1886. He was educated in the schools of Elba, graduating at the age of fifteen, after which he took a business course at Massey’s Business College in Montgomery. At age 15, he held his first public job with the First National Bank of Andalusia, and at age 17, came to Opp as bookkeeper for the firm of Benton and Mizell. At 19, he was elected Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank of Opp, when it was organized on November 27, 1905. He later became cashier, and in 1922 was elected President.
He was married to Lucille Catherine McDavid of Opp, and to this union two daughters were born, Catherine Lucille Mizell Lyon and Louise McDavid Mizell Bennett. Mrs. Charles Mizell now resides in Palm Beach, Florida.
Mr. Mizell was instrumental in bringing to Opp two large cotton mills—the Opp Cotton Mill and the Micolas Cotton Mill—both of which he served as President. He is credited with seeing both the bank and the mills through the depression, giving employment and security to Opp people when others over country were suffering.
Mr. Mizell was a community builder, and a sponsor of a strong educational system. He was a steward in the First Methodist Church. He was Chairman of the Covington County School Board, and for many years was President, Opp Board of Education. He was a charter member of the Opp Rotary Club. He was instrumental in obtaining a good highway from Brantley toward Opp, and in getting the Federal Post Office built in Opp. The ever-expanding Mizell Memorial Hospital was built in his honor and carries his name.
He died on November 6, 1941. C.W. Mizell was recognized as one of the most alert business men in Alabama, and he probably contributed more to the advancement of the business and industrial development of Opp than any other business leader. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.
