James Mills (2-28-12) service 3-3-12

James DeVaughn Mills, CLU, ChFC, 94, of Milan, Tenn., formerly of Memphis, died Tuesday, Feb. 28.

He was born Feb. 25, 1918, to the late Moody James and Goldie Watt Mills in Gibson County, Tenn. He graduated from Medina High School and Draughn’s Business College in Paducah, Ky.

A Lt.jg in the Merchant Marine in World War II, he served onboard a tanker, the USS Lone Jack. He was retired from AXA-Equitable Insurance Company. A 32nd degree Mason, he was also a shriner in the Al Chymia Temple in Memphis. The Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver were awarded him by the Boy Scouts of America.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth Barlow Mills, formerly of Hardin County; a sister, Marie Mills Lemond; a son, John David Mills; and a son-in-law, Dr. James W. Hammack Jr.

He is survived by a son, Dr. James B. Mills and wife Deborah of Milan; a daughter, Charlotte Mills Hammack of Murray, Ky.; a brother, Robert L. Mills and wife Louise of Memphis; a sister, Joan Mills Campbell of Birmingham, Ala.; five grandchildren, Amanda Hammack Crain of Marion, Ark., James W. Hammack III of Murray, Ky., Jennifer Mills Pickett, James Mills Jr. and Meredith Mills, all of Nashville; two great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Barlow Moore of Midland, Texas.

Service time was at 12 noon on Saturday, March 3, at Bodkin Funeral Home in Milan. Burial followed at Centerville Cemetery in Medina.

Bodkin Funeral Home, 731-686-3111.