Card of Thanks

    On the Nineteenth of December, eighteen eighty-six, a little home in North Carolina was made happy when God sent a beautiful little baby wih lovely blue eyes and black curly hair into the home to make life sweeter for Mother, and to gladden the heart of Daddy so much that he gave to this little son the name of George Washington, honor of the great Washington.

    George Washington Mills was the son of Henry and Susan Jane Mills.  His parents moved near Maryville when he was a little baby and at the age of two years, God called the Father home, and five years later God said to his dear Mother, “Come on,“ and she too left, and little George was alone in the world, an orphan child, but the prayers of that Christian Mother meant much to him and loved ones and friends often told him of the sincere love and devotion his father had for the Heavenly Father, and, although little George was alone, he was followed by his mother’s prayers.  He was to the home of his grandparents in North Carolina, where he attended school, but early in life he came back to Maryville, making his home with Dr. and Mrs. Garner and the Garnell family, where he received his education in the schools of Maryville, later going to Sunset, Washington, then coming back to Tennessee.  He made his home near Madisonville until his death.

    He was married to Ella Burris, a daughter of W.J. and Lucinda Divine Burris on April 10^th, 1898.  To this union four children were born: Mrs. W.A. Coleman, (Mary); Mrs. G.V. Sharp (Nelle); Mrs. R.H. Gamble (Minnie) and Aaron Holmes Mills.

    He professed faith in Christ in early manhood and united with the Ebenezer Baptist Church, later moving his membership to the Sunset Christian church in Sunset, Wash., where he, with his family, made their home for three years, but upon his return to Madisonville, He again united with the Ebenezer Baptist Church, later joining the Madisonville Baptist Church, of which he was a consecrated and much loved member until his death.

    At 8:30 on the 11^th of October, 1933, the sad angel of death winged its way into the home of George Washington Mills and called him to the Great Beyond.

    Papa, as he was called by his children and grandchildren, was a good man, a kind husband, father and grandfather. He was a good friend and neighbor, striving to live a christion life and help make life happy for his family.

    His health was bad for years and was bedfast for a number of months, but bore his suffering with patience, and often spoke of the love he had for God’s people and humanity.  During his sickness he often requested mamma and his children and friends to sing the old hymns of Zion, and had chapter after chapter of God’s word read to him, and never grew tired, despite the fact that his suffering was great.

    During his illness Brother W. A. Carroll, Newt Patterson, A. G. Cox, J.E. Vaughn, G. G. Watson, Wesley Newman, H. P. Boatman, and many relatives and friends visited him and he spoke freely of his willingness to die, and expressed a desire to go, saying he was prepared and knew God had need of him, and felt that his battle was ended.

    He is survived by mamma, his four children, two brothers, A. H. Mills, of Sunset, Wash., John A. Mills of Montana, a sister, Mrs. Mary Giles, of Outlook, Washington.

    A brother, W. L. Mills, preceded him some few years ago, and a sister, Mrs. W. H. Willard, died a year ago.

    Funeral services were conducted at the Madisonville Baptist Church by Rev. W. A. Carroll and the Rev. G. G. Watson, assisted by the Madisonville Jr. O. U. A. M., after which his body was laid to rest beneath a grave covered with flowers to await the resurrection.

Papa’s gone to be with Jesus,

Far beyond the starry sky;

But we’ll see our precious papa,

In the sweet bye and bye.

                                                                                    Mrs. H. R. Gamble.