Larry Garrett Mills

SERVICES: TUESDAY,AUGUST 22, 20172:00 P.M.FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHVISITATION: MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. MCCLAIN-HAYS FUNERAL HOME AND ONE HOUR PRIOR TO SERVICE AT FUMCINTERMENT: CEDARLAWN CEMETERY WITH MILITARY HONORSOFFICIATING:REV. CHRIS YOUNGLarry Garrett Mills passed away on August 19, 2017, in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 68.  He was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi on July 2, 1949, to Bobby Jean and Otho Singleton Mills. He grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Philadelphia High School.  He married Brenda Hicks, also of Philadelphia, and they had three children. Larry joined the United States Army National Guard in 1969 and began full-time active duty in 1987. In 2005, he retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class.  Larry was a life-long member of Philadelphia First United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Men’s Quartet.  He was also involved in the church’s various missions and served as chairman of the auction committee.  Larry loved singing and especially enjoyed sharing his talent on Christmas Eve at the church’s Candlelight Service.  He had great memories of volunteering with the youth, particularly the Mountain TOP trips to Tennessee.  He served on the Boards of the Philadelphia Public School District and the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Arts Council. Larry could often be seen on stage at the Ellis Theatre in one of the Art Council’s many productions and heard on Friday nights as the voice of the Philadelphia High School Tornados.  In addition to singing and acting, Larry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, and biking.He was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Jean Mills and Otho Singleton Mills; his mother-in-law, Katie Sharp Hicks; and uncle, Noah Massey Mills.  Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Brenda Hicks Mills; hischildren, Kimberly Mills Kilpatrick and husband Michael ofPhiladelphia, Justin Garrett Mills and wife Tamra of Hickory, Mississippi, and Jonathan Perry Mills and wife Katie of Greenwood, Mississippi; five grandchildren, Chaney Mills, Garrett Mills, William Mills, Linnie Kate Kilpatrick and Henry Mills; one sister, Jean Mills Yacobucci and husband, Bob of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; two brothers, Bob Mills and wife Susan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Ron Mills of Jackson, Mississippi; and a host of extended family.Pallbearers are Brett Moran, Brian Hicks, Carter Callaway, Jim Hicks, Clay Byars and Jake Lambert.  Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607, or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org, or to a charity of your choice.