Deacon Sylvester (Butch) Mills

On the afternoon of September 11, 2020, our beloved Deacon Sylvester Mills Sr., affectionately know as “Butch” transitioned from this earthly world to be with the Lord.

The son of the late Allen E. Millis and Flossie Sheffield Mills was born July 14,1949 in Arlington, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children He grew up in Waycross, Georgia where he received his formal education from The Waycross Public School System and graduated from Center High School in 1967. He was an outstanding basketball and football player at Center High. At an early age was baptized and raised in Big Bethel Freewill Baptist Church. He relocated to Atlanta, Ga. in 1968, and was employed by Ford Motor Company from 1968 until 2002

Sylvester was married for sixteen years and has three children, Stephanie Mills of Atlanta, Ga., Shayron Brown (Dennis) of Lithonia, Ga. and Sylvester Mills Jr. of Macon, Ga. He also has four grandchildren, Tiffany Blakemore of Arizona, Taylor Brown of North Caroline, Darius Brown of Lithonia and Dennis Brown (Coniah) of California ;a great grandchild, Everest.

Butch enjoyed many of life’s blessings. He loved to fish and to travel, especially the annual trips to the timeshare, and he truly loved time with cousins and other family. In previous years he coached little league football, played tennis and tired to help with his dad’s garden. Of course, he had a special place in his heart for his only sister ”Trish” who he sometimes treated as if she was his daughter. He was loved by many.

Upon his return to Waycross, he reunited with Big Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. Upon becoming a Deacon at his church, he purposed in his heart to serve God in whatever capacity he could to be a blessing to other. He served as a faithful Deacon, community member, and servant of  God until his heavenly assignment was fulfilled. He was employed with the Ware County Board of Education for several years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his two older brothers, James Mills and Randolph Mills.

He leaves a legacy of love in the following; his three children, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, his sister, Dr. Patricia A. Mills of Waycross, Ga., his brother, Ervin Mills (Francis) of Decatur, Ga.; sister-in-law, Wilhelmenia Mills of Orangeburg. S.C.; special cousins, Oscar, Vicy, Rowena, Peggy, Lois, and a legion of other cousins and family. He also treasured his life long friends. “Butch” will be missed by many.

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