Lauretta Mills

Born to Hannah Davis and Willie Mills, Sr., on March 6, 1948, Lauretta was God’s special gift to the Mills Family. She had a heart of gold!  Lauretta loved everyone and extended her hospitality to all. She constantly cooked meals and served elderly and ailing persons in the community.  Her homes, from the beginning to the end, became a haven for many! Lauretta had an unquenchable faith and even in her latter days when her body was riddled with pain, she had a continuous song of praise upon her lips.  Bold and fearless, she fought to remain here with us, but when her body exhausted, her spirit grew stronger and she departed this life at her home on January 3, 2020, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. God lifted her from this earthly home to take her to the eternal home beyond the sky. At 8:32 in the p.m., she just flew away!

Lauretta matriculated in the Kershaw County Public School system where she first discovered her love for interior design, sewing and jewelry making.  She graduated from historic Jackson High School and moved to Morristown NJ where she worked for the State of New Jersey for almost 15 years. When her mother became ill, she returned to Camden to become her caregiver until her death.  She was employed by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. as an inspector and when it became too strenuous, she moved into du Pont’s Food Service department and later, into Food Services at Kershaw County Memorial Hospital. Lauretta enjoyed working with African American youth at the Price House Teen Canteen as a part of the Kershaw County Recreation Department Summer Program. She was also a proud driver for Santee Lynches RTA Program.

Lauretta was an amazing vocalist and sang with many groups, including Bill’s Combo of the Job Man Caravan on ETV.  She was often surrounded by professional musical groups and it was not uncommon to come to her home during the early years and finding the Symphonics or The Commodores at her dinner table.

Lauretta was also a woman of great faith and loved God with her whole heart.  She was born into and joined Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church where her entire family attended.  She remained a member until her death. 

No life is ever complete without endearing family and friends that have enriched our lives along the way and such is the case with Lauretta.  She leaves to mourn her beautiful life, “Her Boy,” Shaun (Mignon) Mills; two adoring siblings – Billy (Luvenia) Mills from Rahway NJ and Bonnett (Paul) Mills Allen of Charlotte NC; six siblings that predeceased her -  Mildred (Ivory) Mills Keys, Bernice(Robert) Mills Stewart, Marie (Albert) Mills Tillman, and Ernie Charles (Cynthia) Mills; a loving special sister, Dianne Mills; two loving god-daughters - Crystal(Ricky) Richmond and Stacey Bennett; a loving friend from childhood, Ms. Marie Nelson Butler; a devoted caregiver, Joe Council; two darling girlfriends, Shirley Woods of Camden SC and Rose Dinkins of Bronx NY' a very special friend, Edith Drakeford and a host of amazing nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

She is greatly missed and we shall never forget her courageous fight to endure, never complaining, always praising God and pressing forward.  However, God chose to free His daughter and take her to a place of pure love. She is at peace now and the heavens must have delighted in her coming! She is singing with the angels!

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