Wilma Grace Mills 1921-2015

Wilma Grace Mills, 93, of Lenox, passed away June 4, 2015, at the Lenox Care Center, Lenox, Iowa. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at Lenox Christian Church, Lenox. Pastor Karla Lyddon will officiate. A luncheon will be held at the church following the service. Interment will be at the Grand River Cemetery, Jameson, at 3 p.m. Open visitation and family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at the Lenox Christian Church, Lenox. Pearson Family Funeral Service, 809 W Montgomery St., Creston, Iowa is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Lenox Christian Church; Christian Church, Gallatin, Missouri; or HCI Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Wilma Grace Mills, the only daughter of Jonah and Goldeth (Holcomb) Whitt, was born June 10, 1921, in Daviess County, near Gallatin, Missouri. Wilma graduated from high school in Gallatin. On June 22, 1941, Wilma married Wilford Mills. Wilford passed away Jan. 14, 2006. Wilma lived on a farm south of Jameson most of her married life. She was a homemaker, a farm wife and a caring mother. She raised chickens, canned garden vegetables and spent much time cooking. Before she was married, she worked as a clerk at the MFA where she met her future husband, who was an MFA customer.

Wilma was a member of the Christian church in Gallatin. After moving to Lenox in 1998, she was welcomed into the Christian church, where she attended each Sunday with her daughter.

Wilma enjoyed her life with friends at the Lenox Care Center through the years she was a resident there. It became her home, and those around her were like family. She was known as “Speedy.” The walker was a runner for her. She was also known for her cheerful laugh. She enjoyed going to the Tiger Den in Lenox to visit with friends. Her card friends blessed her each Friday when they came to play Pitch. She liked the activities at the care center. When there was music, she often moved her hands to the beat. A favorite song in later years was “All My Exes Live In Texas.”

Left to cherish Wilma’s memory are her daughters: Karen Shawler of Lenox, Iowa, and Phyllis (Bill) Combs of Greensboro, N.C.; her granddaughters: Amy (Rich) Lane of Rock Hill, S.C., and Lisa (Dane) Parrish of Grimes, Iowa; her grandsons: Jason (Amy) Combs of Greensboro, N.C., and Todd Shawler of Pella, Iowa; her great-grandchildren:  Morgan, Garrett and Jackson Lane; Natalie and Matthew Combs; Trenton and Blayne Shawler; and Spencer, Nolan and Macy Parrish.

Preceding Wilma in death were her parents, her husband, and her son-in-law, Mervin Shawler.

Wilma’s pleasant smile and laugh will be remembered and cherished by her family and friends.