Eleanor "Melli" M. Mills

Eleanor “Melli” M. Mills, 96, of Charlottesville, passed away July 9, 2019. She was born August 30, 1922, a daughter of the late James Hooper and Frances Marion (Pickett) Mellichamp. An indifferent student in youth, Melli went back to school at fifty and earned an RN degree cum laude. A published poet, she was known for her sense of humor. One of her favorite sayings, “We grow too soon old and too late smart.” A self-described “accomplished failure” who grew “too soon old, and too late smart.” A minimally published poet, avid reader, and designer of three houses in which she and family lived. A wise-cracker with a macabre sense of humor. Self-educated with obvious gaps, and jealous of others. Described by father as “born lazy which greatly Enhanced her birth-right.” Prolific writer of drivel and buyer of books. A lover of words and mathematical idiot. Realized too late that she lacked empathy, She worked on it. Lived a long life because she needed to In order to work on failings. Learned a lot but never enough. In addition to her parents, Eleanor was preceded in death by her first husband, Norman Griffith Smith Sr.; second husband, John G. Mills; a son, Norman G. Smith, Jr.; her daughter, Claudia Carol Duffy; a brother, James Hooper Mellichamp II; and a sister, Frances Marion Mellichamp. She was a grateful descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Surviving is her son, Randolph Smith and his wife Barbara; her daughter, Amy Smith; six grandchildren, Justin Smith, Timothy Smith, Andrew Smith, Aileen Duffy, Erin Duffy, and Barclay Duffy; and four great-grandchildren, Moriah, Coen, Elyese, and Dylan. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Pohick Episcopal Church Cemetery, an area in Northern Virginia under-recognized by modern historians. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Arc of the Piedmont, 1149 Rose Hill Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903.