Funeral services for Mark Jackson Mills, 58, of Athens are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the New York Baptist Church with Bro. Donald Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at New York Cemetery under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
Mark passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at his home in Athens after a 16-month battle with cancer.
Mark Jackson Mills was born July 5, 1958 in Ft. Worth, Texas the son of A. Jack Mills and Lou Ella Pierce Mills. He loved God with all his heart and was loved by the Church Families where his dad pastored; including Ft. Worth, Glen Rose and New York, Texas. He taught Sunday school and worked with the youth at New York Baptist Church for years. Mark loved his family and friends. He became involved with the basketball team at La Poynor in the 90’s as one of the first to video games for Coach Nichols. He coached Little Dribblers and loved watching his children play the sports they loved. In the past 5 years, he grew to love the livestock shows and traveled many miles with the La Poynor FFA family to help his children show pigs. He was a hard-working, dedicated employee of Lochridge-Priest for over 18 years as a supervisor in their heating and cooling division.
He was preceded in death by his father Brother Jack Mills.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years Marsha Holcomb Mills of Athens; his daughters, Ali and Cherith Mills of Athens; his sons, Luke Mills and Daniel Cole of Athens, Josh Cole and wife Caroline of Cranfills Gap; one grandson Landon Wilson of Athens; his mother Lou Ella Mills of Athens; three sisters, Jackie Lewis of Ft. Worth, Martha Melton of Austin, Mary Beck of Athens; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank their friends at Lochridge Priest, La Poynor I.S.D. and Dr. Droder and staff at Hospice of East Texas.
Pallbearers will be Lanny Reynolds, T.J. Reynolds, John Henry Reynolds, Brad Rogers, Billy Scarborough and Terry Bristow.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made in Mark’s memory to:
New York Baptist Church or to the La Poynor Ag/Athletic Boosters.
You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.