Paul S. Mills, Sr.

Paul S. Mills, Sr., age 90, passed away early Monday evening, May 12, 2014 at Golden Living Nursing Home in Batesville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014 in Wells Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery. The Mills family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Wells. Mr. Mills was born to Lawrence Linder & Velma McMinn Mills on June 19, 1923 in Orwood, Mississippi. He will be remembered by many as a Brick Mason; having worked in and around the Courtland/Batesville community for 55+ years. Mr. Paul enjoyed teaching his boys and their children the art of brick laying throughout the years. Those who came in contact with him knew how much he loved and admired his family; constantly bragging on them for their achievements. For many, many years, he enjoyed being involved with the daily discussions at the Back Porch Restaurant. Paul will be missed by those who sipped coffee, alongside him, as the world and community events were debated. For most of his adult years, Mr. Mills raised one of the best vegetable crops around Panola County and would give away more than he kept for himself. Courtland residence will often remember seeing him riding his tractor all along the railroad area there in town. He was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church. His legacy is one which will live on in the lives of so many! The Mills family tree is one that is both deep and stretches wide. His children include, one daughter, Clara Olson (Topper) of Courtland; 4 sons, Paul Mills, Jr. (Carolyn) also of Courtland, Johnny Mills (Connie) of Clinton, MS, Robert Mills (Joan) of Batesville, MS and Terry Mills (Carolyn) of Courtland; 4 sisters, Darnell Whitten, Betty Pittman & Dorothy Booth all of Batesville and Linda Hargett of Mt. Home, AR; 2 brothers, Billy Mills of Pope and Donald Mills of Moss Point, MS. His 11 grandchildren include, Janet Oberheim, Cliff Olson, Chris Olson, Paula Hendricks, Tim Mills, Amanda Mills, Leslie Nichols, Allen Mills, John Mills, Jessica Hawkins and Tyler Mills and two step-granddaughters, Melody Dale & Melissa Naylor; 17 great grandchildren, Lauren Oberheim, Stephen Oberheim, Sydney Olson, Kristen Olson, Madison Olson, Jack Olson, Blake Hendricks, Cade Hendricks, Noah Mills, Pete Nichols, Megan Clara Nichols, Stephen Mills, Nathan Mills, Tucker Hawkins, Charlie Hawkins, Logan Mills and Darby Grace Mills; 3 step-great grandchildren, Hannah Toussaint, Tyler Hardy & Madison Hardy; and "Butch" his dog. His grandsons will proudly serve as Pallbearers and the great grandsons as the Honorary Pallbearers. He was preceded by his wife, Clara Leslie Cosby Mills; one daughter, Carol Faye Mills; 12 siblings; and one granddaughter, Jaime Wynn Mills. Those who would like to send memorial donations are asked to forward those to the Courtland United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 36, Courtland, MS 38620.