Charles Junior Mills

He was born September 13, 1935, in Iredell County and was the son of the late Walter Lewis “Bill” Cowan and Beatrice Mills White. He retired from Keuwanee Corporation and operated his own lawn service for several years. He was an honorary member of Cameron Presbyterian Church and enjoyed fishing and playing and coaching softball.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Thelma Garner Mills, whom he married in 1957; three sisters, Annie T. Barringer, Christine Cowan Sturgis, and Betty Osborne; five brothers, Richard Wayne Tucker, Michael Cowan, James Mills, Willie James Tucker, and Randy Cowan; and an aunt, Louise Frost.

He is survived by two daughters, Debra “DeeDee” Lynn Mills and Sandra Mills (Gary) Carson; two sons, Charles “Chuckie” Edward Mills (Deborah Morrison) and Kenneth “Kenny” Avery Mills (Marlene Eckles), all of Statesville; eleven grandchildren, DeShan Maurice Mills, LaShon Maurice Gaither, Stephanie Nichole Mills, Pebbles La-Triece Carson, Angie Diane Stevenson, Gary Dale Carson, Jr., Tyrek Kearney, Shonika Eckles, Kim McLelland, and Tonya McLelland; seven great-grandchildren, Shanniyah Marshae McClain, Keyshan Tykim Wasson-Mills, D’Lijah Marquee Mills, Na’Ryiah Shalae Mills, Desean Kenneth Stevenson, Jasmine Eckles, Miley McLelland, and Donovan McLelland; nine sisters, Ethel T. Cowen, Bertha Mae Tucker, Sadie T. Bowers, Elizabeth Cowan Sifford, Joyce Cowan Springs, Francella Cowan Sherrill, Laura Mae Cowan Mathis, Judy Cowan Mills, and Mae Young; two brothers, Gary Cowan and Avery Tucker; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service celebrating Charles’ life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2014, at Cameron Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Timothy Bates officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Saturday at the church prior to the service and at other times, the family will be gathered at the residence.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.