Donald Joe Mills Jr.

Don was born in Chattanooga, TN at Erlanger Hospital on December 15, 1954, to Donald Joe Mills, Sr., and Charlsie Mae Boss Mills. Don attended Glenwood Elementary School, Dalewood Junior High, and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1972. He was an active member of Ridgedale Baptist Church.

He attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and then transferred to The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT) to study architecture. Don was a member of the UTC Lambda Chi Fraternity, and he graduated from UT in 1978 with a Bachelor of Architecture. He met the love of his life, Rebecca “Becky” Merritt, while both of them sang in The Chattanooga Singers at UTC. Additionally, they were both active in the Baptist Student Union.

Don and Becky married in 1978 at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain, TN. Once married, they moved to the Atlanta area and settled in Marietta in 1983, living happily in Lee’s Crossing for over 30 years with their children Christopher and Sarah.

Don and his family were very active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta where he served as a Deacon. The family were members of the choir and Don and Becky were founding members of The Kirk Ringers Bell Choir. Don also was a leader of Boy Scouts with Troop 252.

Throughout Don’s professional career, he was a member of the American Institute of Architects, and worked in the Atlanta area with projects including 191 Peachtree Tower and with The State of Georgia, ensuring public buildings were ADA-compliant.

Don was well known for his kindness, sense of humor, and selflessness. He always had a positive attitude and never complained. To know Don was to know love. He kept his love of music throughout his life. He loved all genres of music spanning from classical to rock and roll and everything in between.

Don bravely fought for many years with Multiple Sclerosis but he was always able to see the silver lining in the darkest of clouds. He passed away surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Donald Joe Mills, Sr. in 2010, Charlsie Mae Boss Mills in 1993, and his wife of 38 years, Rebecca Merritt Mills in 2016; as well as other family, Uncle Burrell Boss, Aunt Mary Lois Wright, Aunt Emily Christine Alford, Jim Scarbrough of Chattanooga, TN; uncles Earl and Jerry Mills, Hugoton, KS; aunts, Joanne Popejoy of TX and Janell Burditt of Pinehurst, NC; cousins, Lisa Mills, Montana Beasley, Hugoton; Annette and Jeff McClendon of TX.

Don is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Christopher Andrew and Ashley Mills of Canton, GA; and his daughter and son-in-law Sarah Mills and Dr. Tommy Osburn of Rush, NY; he was “Grandude” to his grandson Jackson Asher Mills of Canton, GA; sister Dr. Sandra Sue Mills of Columbia, SC; cousin Mary Charlsie Scarbrough, Carol and Steve Newton of Chattanooga, TN, and Wendy Nesmith of Birmingham, AL. Uncle and aunt Doug and Rita Mills of Hugoton, KS; cousins Renee Beasely, Sydney Pine, and Faith Beasley; cousins Matt Mills, Maverick Mills, Amanda Cox, Baby Jedediah, Cody Mills, and baby Ailah of Hugoton, KS; Stephanie Walkup (Hannah, and Becca) of Wichita, KS; Shari Espisito of TX, Chris Degarmo (Isabella, Zach, Alexander, Elizabeth), (Kim Deeter, Taylor Oelke, Hannah Geallego, Kelli Hall, Naomi and baby Willow, Emmalie, and Lillian Browussard,) and Danny Popejoy of TX, Liz Gabel (Sam and Jacob) and Andy Popejoy (Jack, Kate, Beth, and Isaac); Uncle Kenneth Burditt and cousins Susan Burditt of Augusta, GA and Karen Knight of Washington, DC. Jerry's children, Tonya Anderson, Jeff Mills and Jamie Mills, all of Hugoton, KS.

Don’s visitation is Sunday, August 20th at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, GA from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. His Memorial Service will be Monday, August 21st at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta at 2:00 p.m. Don will have a private interment at Kennesaw Memorial Park.

Anyone wishing to give donations instead of flowers should donate to the Chancel Choir or the Kirk Bell Choir at First Presbyterian Church, Church St., Marietta, GA in loving memory of Don or to The Shepard Center of Atlanta.

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