Rodney Mills

Rodney Mills, 70, of Ballard, WV was born on September 29th, 1955, in Helen, WV in his family home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary Virginia Mills and a niece, Nichole Boley Friedel.

Those left to carry on his legacy and keep his memory alive are his wife Anatia Gayle Mills, of Ballard; his two sons and their wives, Samuel Bin and Brooke Mills of Ballard, and Isaac and Melissa Mills of Ballard. “Bumpa”, as he was affectionately known, will be missed by his four grandchildren, Leah Mills, Amelia Mills, Zane Mills, and Violet Mills. He is also survived by his two sisters, Janet Lilly of Beckley, WV and Joyce Gwinn of Beckley, WV, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He additionally cherished close relationships with his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as several friends of his sons who he considered family.

Rodney was devoted to his family and was a man of very strong Christian faith, spending time each day walking with God and praying for the needs of others. Rodney worked in the coal mining support industry for Rish Equipment for over 35 years in Beckley, WV.

Rodney was passionate about hunting and fishing, and in the last 12 years had become a serious cattle farmer, both running his own farm for 10 years in Renick, WV with his wife, Gayle, and more recently helping his son run his farm in Ballard. In all he did, he attempted to do it with family, from taking his children and grandchildren fishing and hunting to having his grandchildren ride beside him in the tractor. He never knew a job that his persistent work ethic could not complete, and he passed this same work ethic to his children. While Rodney did not serve in the military, his patriotism and respect for service members was such that he inspired and supported both of his sons’ decisions to join the military.

Rodney was also willing to help anyone he could and went out of his way to ensure anyone he spent time with felt welcome and comfortable.

He recently had the pleasure of celebrating his 50th anniversary with the love of his life, Anatia Gayle Mills.

A graveside funeral service for Rodney will be held on Friday, May 29th, at 12 p.m. at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Beckley, WV, with Pastor Bill Sweeney officiating. The graveside service is open to all friends and family who wish to attend.

His pall bearers will include his sons, Samuel Bin and Isaac Mills, as well as nephews William Harold Baldwin II, William Ray Worley III, Joseph Matthew Crook IV, and Bastian Kaiser, as well as honorary son Christopher Malon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to any church of the Christian faith.