E. Cecil Mills, Jr.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Elon C. Mills, Sr. and Evelyn Mathews Mills and was married for 56 years to the late Patricia Sharpton Mills. Cecil attended Columbia High School and graduated in 1953. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering at Clemson University, and graduated as a member of the Class of 1957. He remained a loyal Tiger fan!

He was a SC State employee from 1957-1997 with the Budget and Control Board, serving as the Director of Construction and Planning for many years. At the time of his retirement, he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Lieutenant Governor, Bob Peeler. After his career in State Government, he went on to be a Project Manager in the Facility Maintenance Department at Riverbanks Zoo for 3+ years.

He was a Sergeant at the 51st MP Company of the 51st Infantry Division of the SC Army National Guard from 1958 – 1961. He was initiated in the Masonic Fraternity, Earlewood Lodge, No. 371, AFM which recently merged with Acacia Lodge No. 94, AFM and was a 50-year member. He was a 32° Mason in Columbia Scottish Rite Bodies and a Shriner at Jamil Shrine Center of Columbia, SC.

He enjoyed fresh-water fishing off his dock and loved SCUBA diving in Florida and various Caribbean locales.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Mills of Arlington, VA, and Paige Mills of Columbia, SC; sister, Doris M. Jacobs (Bill) of Spartanburg, SC; brother-in-law, Bill Sharpton of Greenville, SC; niece, Debbie J. Shaw (Rick); nephews, David Jacobs (GiGi) and Matt Jacobs (Nancy) and grandnieces and nephews, all of Spartanburg, SC.

Over the years, he made many friends, but none as enduring as the childhood friendships with Dr. Kenneth Huggins, Lyle Campbell, and Dr. Lynn Campbell from their Earlewood neighborhood (aka Camp Fornance). They met weekly for lunch and called themselves “The Romeos” (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel at 503 North Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 29072.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PETSinc, 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elmwoodfhcolumbia.com for the Mills family.