Robert Melvin “Mickey” Channell, Jr., 76, died peacefully at his home on February 26, 2019 after a prolonged illness. Channell served in the Georgia General Assembly from 1993-2015, representing State House District 120.
He earned the title of “GPHA Legislator of the Year ” for his efforts to establish the standalone Department of Public Health in Georgia. Moving public health out from under an umbrella agency gave public health more autonomy and a stronger voice, with a direct line to the Governor.
Channell’s obituary states, “Mr. Channell truly believed that public service was a high calling and was honored to serve the people of his district both locally and at the state level for 42 years.”