James Otis Mills

James Otis Mills, 86, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2004 at Houston Medical Center. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1 at Shirley Hills Baptist Church with interment following at 1:00 p.m. in Andersonville National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, May 31 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Shirley Hills Baptist Church Building Fund, 615 Corder Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Mr. Mills was born in Uvalda, Montgomery County, Georgia. He graduated from Vidalia High School in Vidalia, GA in 1934. He was employed on a survey team staking rural power lines in several South Georgia areas and in Snellville, GA. He worked for Ocmulgee EMC, Altamaha EMC, Coastal EMC, Satilla EMC, and Irwin County EMC. He also served in the US Army during WWII.

In 1952, he became District Manager of Flint EMC in Warner Robins. He was a member of the WRAMA Citizens Advisory Council, President of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce, President of the United Givers Fund of Warner Robins, President of the Optimist Club, Lt. Governor of Optimist International, he served on the Warner Robins Recreation Board when it was first organized and on the Board of Directors of Citizens State Bank. He was named Citizen of the year by the Warner Robins Civitan Club.

In 1968, Mr. Mills was named General Manager of Flint EMC. While living in Reynolds, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club. He worked at the state level of the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation and was on a joint committee which first negotiated with Georgia Power to formulate plans for the joint venture which later became Oglethorpe Electric giving EMC’s ownership in coal fired and nuclear generation units.

Since retiring in 1978, Mr. Mills lived in Cumming and Gainesville, GA, returning to Warner Robins in 1996. He loved woodworking and had won many awards for his wood carving. He also restored and installed a theatre organ in his home.

Mr. Mills wife of 65 years preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters, Beverly M. Mercer (Ken), Warner Robins; and Janice M. Harder, Montgomery, AL; granddaughters, Cindi Riley (Rev. Jim), Beaufort, SC; Beth Haley (Banks), Loganville, GA; Jenni Russ (Brian), Warner Robins; Michael Paul (Roy), Montgomery, AL; great-grandchildren, Josh Riley, Chris and Brianna Russ, Melissa and Matthew Haley, Fred and Maggie Paul; three brothers, Roy Mills (Juanita), Vidalia, GA; Walter Mills (Marywill), Waycross, GA; and Carlton Mills (Laverne), Elberton, GA.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Road
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088