Bessie Mills

Bessie Mae Acker Mills, age 85, passed away peacefully at Hospice of West Alabama on October 08, 2017. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Springer and Rev. Tim Fields officiating. Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North will be directing. Visitation will be at Magnolia North on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stewart A. Acker, and Hattie B. Acker Friday, and brothers, Hubert A. Acker and Morris R. Acker. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Paul Mills Jr, sons, Johnny (Patsy) Mills and Jim (Jackie) Mills, daughters, Brenda Vaughn, and Linda (Eddie) LaFoy, all of the Bethany community. Brothers: Charles (Dorothy) Acker, Doug (Raedean) Acker, Keith (Debra) Acker, and David (Monica) Acker. Grandchildren: Allison (Ray) Townsend, James Paul (Brittany) Mills, Chad Mills, Meagan LaFoy, Connor Mills, Hunter Vaughn, Ryan LaFoy, Austin Vaughn, and Sam Mills. Great grandchildren: Emory Townsend, Abby Townsend and Sipsey Brooke Mills. Bessie was born on July 17, 1932 in Pickens County, Alabama. She was a longtime resident of the Bethany community and an active member of Bethany Baptist Church where she served as treasurer and numerous other positions for many years. Bessie worked as office manager/bookkeeper for Lloyd Wood Construction Company for 40+ years before retiring in 2007. One of Bessie's greatest pleasures in life was being with family and friends during holidays, vacations, weekends, birthdays, or any other occasion. No one ever left her home feeling unloved or hungry and they always knew they were welcome back anytime. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Ray Townsend, James Paul Mills, Chad Mills, Connor Mills, Hunter Vaughn, Ryan LaFoy, Austin Vaughn, and Sam Mills. Honorary pallbearers are DCH Home Health, Hospice of West Alabama, Dr. Debra Davis, Vicki and Dale Oney, employees of Sheena's Beauty Salon, Deacons, wives, and members of Bethany Baptist Church, Eva Patton, Maxine Watkins, Rex and Eddie Lou Tilley, Travis and Jessica Cunningham, Garrett and Anna Tilley, Adam Booth, Cody Hydrick, all of the adopted grandchildren who have spent countless hours visiting and eating at "Grandmother's house", all Lloyd and Faye Wood family members, Mary Alma Wood, Katherine Brown, Rev. Gary and Nancy Bonner, Rev. Jim and Gerri Roberts, and all former employees and friends of Lloyd Wood Construction Company. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bethany Baptist Church Family Life Center.