Rev. James V. Mills, 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, December 30, 2016, at the Courtyards in Fulton. He was born in Tupelo on December 25, 1937, to Clarence and Gladys Park Mills. On May 27, 1957, he married the love of his life, Betty Stubblefield, and together began building a lifetime of memories. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served in Okinawa and as an ROTC instructor at LSU. For fifty-one years, he was a Free Will Baptist Minister, serving in several churches in the North Mississippi area, leading numerous lives to know God as their personal savior. He was a member of Fawn Grove Free Will Baptist Church, where he served his first ministry for fourteen years.
He loved watching all sports especially his Ole Miss Rebels, and before his health declined, he enjoyed working in his flower and vegetable garden, especially his tomatoes. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apple of his eye, never failing to tell his visitors about something they were doing. He was loved by his family & friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Services honoring his life will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 2, 2017, at Fawn Grove Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Nichols, Rev. Derek Starnes, Rev. Terry Pierce, and Rev. Terry Booker officiating. Burial will follow in the Fawn Grove Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Mills; one son, David Mills (Shirley); one daughter, Cheri Franks (C.W.) all of Mantachie; four grandchildren, Christy Warren, Anthony Franks (Jamie) all of Mantachie, Johnathan Mills (Samantha) of Mooreville, and Brandon Mills (Jessica) of Cabot, Arkansas; eight great-grandchildren, Hunter Hester, Jackson and Landon Warren, Madelynne Grimes, Levi Franks all of Mantachie, Aria and Zylah Mills of Mooreville, and Tara & Jade Mills of Cabot, Arkansas; one brother, Everette Mills (Vera) of Pontotoc; one sister, Barbara Sanders (Jackie) of Toccopola; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be Anthony Franks, Johnathan Mills, Brandon Mills, Mark Tigner, Andy Spradling, Phillip Marlin, Perry Franks, and Russell Burcham.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ministers of the North MS Free Will Baptist Association.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie, and one hour prior to service
time Monday at Fawn Grove Free Will Baptist Church.
