Carolyn Mills

Carolyn Whelchel Mills Obituary

Carolyn Whelchel Mills passed away on February 13 at the age of 95 in Cumming, GA with her family nearby. Carolyn was born in 1929 in Ocilla, GA to Carrie Griffin Whelchel and Emmet Vickery Whelchel. She was the third of 5 children, 3 brothers and 1 sister. She grew up in Adel, Hapeville and Moultrie, GA.
She married William Terrell Mills (deceased, 2016) in 1951. They had 4 children: Lynn Mills Pugh (Chuck), Carol Mills White (Kevin, deceased 2018), Nell Mills Benefield (Randy), and Terrell William Mills (Benjie). She had 7 grandchildren, Jessica Pugh Spies (Eric), Jeff Pugh (Ling), Laura Barrett Luker (Will), Thomas Barrett, Taylor White (deceased), Morgan Mills and Grace Mills. She also had 3 step-grandchildren Tommy Benefield, Joe Benefield and Sarah Benefield that she welcomed joyfully into the family. She had 3 great-grandchildren James Luker, Lincoln Spies, and Sophie Pugh. Her love and dedication to her family had a profound effect on each person.
A 1950 graduate of University of Georgia, she followed in the footsteps of her mother and father, both educators. However, her children and grandchildren received most of the benefit of her knowledge and skills as she instilled curiosity and the love of learning in all of them.
The Mills family moved to Albany, GA in 1961. First Methodist Church of Albany became the social center of the family’s life. Carolyn, a strong and determined person, served, and led many projects and programs during her 50 years at the church. She brought that same strength and determination to her role as director of the Albany Food Bank where she touched many people faced with food insecurity.
In 2010, Carolyn and William moved to Cumming, GA and built a house on their daughter’s farm. They involved themselves in the church and farm community, where Carolyn often prepared lunch for farm volunteers.
Carolyn’s upbeat personality, intelligence, and loving kindness endeared her to people of all ages until the very end.