Ann Mills

Ann Chastain Mills, age 83, formerly of Northport, Alabama, passed away on February 3, 2021.  She was born in Little Rock, AR, on 9/28/1937.  After graduating from Baylor University in 1959 with a BA in Education, she planned to teach; however, the first of her 4 children arrived in early 1960 and she delayed beginning her teaching career until September of 1974.  Mrs. Mills earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education in 1974 from the University of Alabama.  She then taught for the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education for more than 30 years at Collins-Riverside Middle School in Northport.  For years, Mrs. Mills spent her evenings assisting adult learners preparing to take the GED test to achieve their educational goals.

Mrs. Mills was an active member of Carroll’s Creek Baptist Church for more than 40 years where she taught the children in the Awana Program.  She believed that it was the fundamental responsibility of the church to spread the Gospel throughout this world; she actively supported many foreign and domestic mission trips/activities for more than 40 years.

She was passionate about many things:  her family, her faith, and the never-ending quest for knowledge and education.  In addition to earning her BA in Education and Master’s Degree in Special Education, she earned an AA Certificate in Education from the University of Alabama.  Once she retired from teaching, she began to again actively pursue her love for knowledge by attending/auditing courses at Shelton State Community College.

Mrs. Mills became deeply interested in genealogy and literally traced her ancestors’ roots for years creating countless volumes of documents, photos, and stories about people in her family tree who have left their mark on this country.  She spoke at large family gatherings about her research hoping to encourage others to cherish the legacies of pioneers who settled communities, made and lost fortunes, and shaped the future of their descendants and this country.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father – Emma Jean Rodgers Chastain and Flavel C. Chastain.  Mrs. Mills lost her youngest child in 1991, Ronda Carol Mills.  She is survived by her youngest brother, Flavel C. Chastain, Jr, and three children:  Anne Mills Austin (Joe Austin), Ronald Mills (Stephanie Green Mills), and David Mills (Noel Wiggins Mills).  Mrs. Mills has six grandchildren and their spouses who love and adore her:  Patrick Jones (Rebekah Moon Jones), Johnathan Austin (Mandy Reynolds Austin), Forrest Mills (Anna Tucker Mills), Michael Mills (Ashley Henderson Mills), Savannah Mills Owens (Sean Owens), and Collins Mills.   She was blessed with 3 great grandchildren:  Maddox, Emerson, and Josie.

It is hard to say goodbye to someone who was a constant encourager with such a huge servant heart like Mrs. Mills. A private graveside ceremony will be held on February 5th at Oregonia Baptist Church in Samantha, AL.  Our hearts are filled with joy and celebration that she has joined her sweet Ronda to be with her Savior in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her legacy of love and selflessness with a donation to either Eagles’ Wings Inc in Coker, AL, AGAPE of Central Alabama in Montgomery, or Carroll’s Creek Baptist Church.  Or if you are so moved, sponsor a mission trip/activity to encourage the spiritual growth of another young servant heart.  It would make her so very happy!