Richard James Mills

Richard James Mills, 92, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away in the loving and tender arms of his wife, June Mills, Saturday, July 18, 2015. His funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Pinecrest Baptist Church, 1285 Ashley Hall Road, at 1:00 p.m. The family will greet friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park, where the family will gather for a private time of Remembrance at the graveside. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC.

Richard was born April 4, 1923 in Knoxville, Tennessee, son of the late Louie and Oreda Mills. At the beginning of WWII, he moved with his family to Charleston, SC and has lived in Charleston ever since. He was a member of "The Greatest Generation"; during WWII he fought to preserve freedom and justice by serving in the United States Navy aboard the Destroyer/Minesweeper USS Cowie in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and off the coast of Japan. While on leave near the end of WWII, he married June Ellen Flanagan on May 27, 1945 in Charleston, SC, a loving union that produced two children and lasted for just over 70 years. He was discharged from active military service at the end of WWII and began a Civil Service career at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. After retiring from civil service, he opened and operated his own locksmith business, Richard's Lock Shop, for several years. He subsequently obtained his real estate license and sold real estate for a number of years. He finally retired from active work around 1988, and from his favorite recliner in his living room, he transitioned to a very successful career of "Just resting my eyes" or "Watching the world pass by" on the street in front of his house. During his children's elementary school years, Richard and June were active in the PTA and other school activities. He served as PTA president and also organized various elementary school fundraising projects.

A Southern Baptist, he was an ordained deacon in the church. During his younger years he was a very active church member, serving in various leadership positions in Sunday School, Training Union, and in various youth and men's ministries. He has been a long time member of Pinecrest Baptist Church in the West Ashley section of Charleston. Richard's important milestones reached this year were: his wife's 85th birthday in March; his own 92nd birthday in April; Mother's Day and his 70th wedding anniversary in May; Father's Day in June and Independence Day on July 4th. Richard will be lovingly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends. He had a good sense of humor and a quick wit. At times he could be somewhat feisty, but he was never mean-spirited, and he possessed a disarming charm that often calmed tense situations. He was a hard worker, a man of short stature who believed he could do almost anything; his wife often referred to him as "my little Hercules." He was known for his beautiful blue eyes and smile. A loving husband and father, Richard also loved The Lord Jesus and tried to live his faith, and he was known to have never uttered a curse word. His was a life well lived!

He is survived by his wife of just over 70 years, June Flanagan Mills; daughter, Paula Mills Veno of Dallas, GA; son and daughter-in-law, R. Wayne and Mary B. Mills of Cayce, SC; sister, Marie Llewellyn of Knoxville, TN; nephews, Bill Llewellyn of Knoxville, TN, and Tommy Larr of Fayetteville, NC; brothers-in-law, Clarence Flanagan of Paradise, CA and Willie Flanagan of Flowery Branch, GA; three grandchildren, Richard Veno of Cocoa Beach, FL, Chris Veno of Trout, LA and Wendy Veno of Acworth, GA; one great-grandson, Matt Veno of Acworth, GA. He is preceded in death by his parents and various other family members.

The family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to the following for their love, care and support during Mr. Mills' illness: Intrepid Health Care Services; Staff of 6th floor, Roper Hospital; Staff of Hospice of Charleston In-Patient Center, Mt. Pleasant; Pastor and friends, Pinecrest Baptist Church; and good friends Dan and Bev Beam, and John and Bill Barr.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Pinecrest Baptist Church, c/o "Roof Fund", 1285 Ashley Hall Road, Charleston, SC 29407.