James Mills

James William Mills was born on September 3, 1931, in Yell County, Arkansas to Jesse and Sylvia Mills. He went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2024, in his home in Sturgis, Mississippi.

He was married to Dorothy J (Squires) Mills on March 18, 1950, who he loved for 68 years until her death in 2018.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University in 1976, his Masters of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979, and his Doctorate of Theology from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in 1997.

James was proud to have served his country in the US Air Force for 20+ years, stationed at Little Rock AFB, Torrejón AFB, Madrid Spain, Kincheloe AFB, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, and the AF Headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, where he retired. 

He was more proud to have served the Lord for 56 years. He accepted Christ as his Savior through the IMB mission in Madrid, Spain and surrendered to the ministry in Sault Sainte Marie, MI 1969 and ordained to preach in 1970. He pastored churches in Michigan, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Mississippi. He loved Jesus and wanted all to know Him in a personal relationship. He was our family’s biggest prayer warrior, naming his 3 children and 38 grandchildren by name every day to the Lord!

James is survived by their children, Judy (Gordon) Beal, Linda Williams, and Randy (Gabrielle) Mills; grandchildren Kelli, Orion, Joshua, Ashley, Matthew, Lindsay, Cody, and Michaela; 27 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving him are his brother Raymond (Karen) Mills, and many nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved very much. He had more friends than you can imagine and cherished each and every one of them.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Mills; his parents Jesse and Sylvia Mills; sisters Margarette Rankin, Mae Skyles, Louise Mills, Lucille Mills, Dorothy Fitzpatrick, and Sylveen Ballard; brothers Jesse Mills, Chuck Mills, Joe Mills, Bobby Mills, and Johnny Mills.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, followed by funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W Dewitt Henry, Beebe, Arkansas. Burial will be in Sylvania Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home. To view the online register, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook.