Archives for February 2025

Ellis Willard Mills Jr died on February 26, 2025 with his family by his side after a heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ellis was born on June 17, 1938 to Ellis Willard Mills and Myrtle Jenkins Mills. In 1956 he graduated from Waynesboro High School where he met the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Pauline (Polly) Blount Mills.

Music was always a part of his life. In high school, he formed the Ellis Mills Orchestra and played for different events in the area. He received a music scholarship to Florida State University and after graduating in 1960, he and Polly married. With his ROTC commission they spent two years in Nuremberg, Germany with the 22nd Artillery in the 4th Armored Division. They treasured those years and the lasting friendships they made. Ellis remained in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired as Lieutenant Colonel.

Ellis’ career was 36 years with City of Decatur Schools where he served as band director, and as an administrator. Ellis said “it was a very rewarding profession”. He loved working with young people and the faculty was a second family. During these years he obtained his Masters degree from the University of Georgia and his PHD from Florida State University.

Ellis volunteered with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for many years. He served on the Executive Committee as Festival Chairman. He was one of two inaugural inductees into the Chick-fil-A
Volunteer Hall of Fame.

Ellis and Polly loved traveling. As band director, he took the students to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. and to the New York World’s Fair. The biggest feat was to take 250 to Newcastle, England for a school exchange. He then decided to take small groups of adults to Europe. The last of their travels were River Cruises.

Faith, family and friends were of utmost importance to Ellis. He served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Big Canoe Chapel.

Ellis is preceded in death by brother, Grady Mills (Brenda).

He is survived by his wife, Polly; daughter, Sherrie Spinks; Son, Ellis W. Mills III (Jane), and son, Davey Mills. He adored his grandchildren, Lillie Spinks, John Spinks (Masyn), Wyatt Mills (Maddie), Whitner Mills, Jack Mills and Mars Mills; great grandchildren, Bennett and Molly Mills; sister, Cynthia Roberts (Woody).

A Memorial Service will be planned at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s or the charity of your choice.

Offer Condolence for the family of Ellis Willard Mills Jr.

 Print This Obituary & Condolences

On November 18, 1956, Dorothy L. Edwards was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mary P. Holt and Bobbie L. Rogers, both of  whom she now joins in heaven.  As Dorothy grew older, her mother felt the need to relocate from Memphis, TN to Chicago IL, where Dorothy attended grammar school and graduated from the Chicago Vocational High School.  Dorothy also attended and graduated from the Kennedy King College with an Associates Degree in Social Work.

During the year of 1975, Dorothy was married to Mack A. Edwards and to this union three children were born – LaDetrica LaVett, TaMeca LaMara and JaMila Michael Edwards.  She also acquired a bonus son, Demetrius Landfair (deceased 2019).  While living in Chicago, Dorothy worked in various positions, first working at various businesses belonging to her father, the Continental Bank and then after many years, she retired from the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home, where she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  Dorothy took pride in caring for people she knew and grew to love, either at work or in her personal life.  Her life’s goal was to work and make sure her children were provided for and did all she could to keep them safe from harm.

As time and life progressed with her children getting older and branching out to live their own lives, Dorothy went and spent four years in Seattle, Washington with her baby boy, JaMila and his new family before relocating to Savannah, Georgia in 2012 to assist her daughter TaMeca and son-in law Dennis, in caring for their children, Victor and Arlenia.  Once in Savannah, Dorothy fell in love with the awesome weather only returning to Chicago to visit her daughter, LaDetrica and son-in law Rodney.

Dorothy loved people and people loved her.  Dorothy didn’t have a filter when it came to being honest with folk and speaking the truth.  People would sit and talk with her for hours, telling her everything.  She knew so much of other folk’s business, she was affectionately known as the Chelsea Park Place News Channel.  If you wanted to know something, just ask her and if she didn’t know, she would find out – all this while not leaving her front porch.  Dorothy spent a long time living in the Chelsea at Five Points Apartments and will definitely be missed.

Dorothy leaves to cherish her: Children – LaDetrica L. Wells (Rodney), TaMeca L. Cammon (Dennis), JaMila M. Edwards; Grandchildren – Victor A. Taylor (Fiance Virgina), JaMeka M. Edwards, Arlenia M. Ewing, JaMara M. Edwards; Great Grandchildren – Arlani X. Ewing (birthday twin) and Zenobia V. Taylor (expected April 2025) and a host of sisters, brothers, inlaws and dear friends.

While these paragraphs do not depict Dorothy’s entire life, we, the Family, hope that she will remain in your thoughts and memories.  During her absence from this earth, please continue to smile, laugh about her funny antics and facial expressions, for being sad was not a word in her vocabulary.  She was all about living life, enjoying family and not caring about things out of her control.

A memorial service will be held Monday, March 3,2025;  11AM at Families First Funeral Care Chapel.  1328 Dean Forest Road, Savannah Ga, 31405.

Offer Condolence for the family of Dorothy L. Edwards

 Print This Obituary & Condolences

April 24, 1935 – February 22, 2025

With heavy hearts and deep faith, we announce the peaceful passing of Alva Lee Terrell, age 89, on February 22, 2025. Alva Lee was born on April 24, 1935, in Pulaski, GA, to Kenneth and Ruby Donaldson.

Alva Lee’s faith in God was the cornerstone of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, known for her unwavering love and commitment to her family. Alva’s life was a reflection of Christ’s love, and she sought to embody His teachings in all she did. Her joy, compassion, and encouragement touched the lives of all who knew her. She was a longtime member of The Sanctuary Church of Savannah, GA.

She was preceded in death by her husband (Lamar Terrell), mother (Ruby Donaldson), father (Kenneth Donaldson), sisters (Rita Willoughby, Marlene Pinkston, and Christine Donaldson), and brothers (Lamar and Alfred Donaldson). She is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, where she is at peace. Alva Lee is survived by her brother, Richard (Almond) Donaldson, children, Linda Oliver, Brenda Sather (Chris), and William Burden (Lawrence), grandchildren Nicholas Oliver (Mary), Lindsey Davis (Kricket), Christopher Sather (Lauren), and Kimberly Martin (Trevor), 8 great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends who will forever hold her memory in their hearts.

The family takes comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). While we mourn her passing, we know she is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.

A service to celebrate Alva Lee’s life and her eternal homecoming will be held at The Sanctuary Church of Savannah on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Visitation will be at 4 pm followed by a service at 5 pm.

Alva Lee Terrell’s legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to inspire and bless all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Offer Condolence for the family of Alva Lee Terrell

 Print This Obituary & Condolences

Leona Jean Miller, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2025 Leona was born on January 7, 1960 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Delmon Miller, Sr. and Grace Payne Miller.

Raised in Savannah she was educated in Chatham County where she became a proud graduate of Richard Arnold High School but later pursued her passion for food and cooking at Breckinridge Job Corp. Center in Kentucky. Her love for the culinary arts brought joy to many and she was known for her ability to bring warmth and love through her meals.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion through her four children: Maurice Miller, Marius Miller (Atia), Jheneika Miller, and Krishonda Holmes. She was a cherished grandmother to her beautiful grandchildren: Oasys, Keith, Mariyah, Eli, Kingston, and Koryn. Leona is survived by her siblings: Betty Lewis, Delmon Miller, Jr. (Shirley), George Miller (Victoria), and Diane Drawsand (Perry). She will be deeply missed by a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends who were blessed to know her.

Leona‘s kindness, strength and unwavering love for her family will forever be remembered. Her memory will live on in the heart of those she touched.

A memorial service will be held Friday February 28, 2025; 11:00AM at  Families First Funeral Care Chapel.

Offer Condolence for the family of Leona Jean Miller

 Print This Obituary & Condolences