Christopher Joseph Mills

Christopher Joseph Mills, 80, of Richmond, VA, passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2025. His daughters Kristin Mills, Dotty Rilee, and Debbie Arnold comforted him during his last days. The family of his grandson J.T. Jones, including Laura, J.T.s wife, and their children Austin and Allie enriched our Dad's life with many smiles and happy times.
Our dad was born in Hyattsville, MD on March 31, 1944 and he fondly remembered his boyhood experiences in the neighborhood, with family, friends, and at Gonzaga High School. He married our mom, Mary Straub (Mills) Keesee, in 1963 and became a loving father to Kristin, Ray and Dotty. He married our stepmom Sandra Ward Mills in 1974 and lovingly raised her 3 girls, Ruth Casey, Debbie Arnold, and Alicia Misleh. The five girls survived him, but we lost our brother Ray in 2006, which was so devastating to Dad.
Other survivors include his brothers William Mills, Brian and his wife Ceci Mills, and his sister, Maureen Killian (Mimi). He was preceded in death by William Mills, his father; Mary Dowling Mills, his mother; Sandra Mills, his wife; and Ray Mills, his son.
Dad loved his family and friends, good food, jokes, books, linguistic oddities, fishing, and the Chesapeake Bay. He volunteered in many capacities. A short list includes as a Knight of Columbus, as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor, as a docent at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and as a Red Cross volunteer. Dad dedicated his retirement to the detailed care for his love, his wife Sandye, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Please consider a donation to the Virginia Home where Sandye lived the last year of her life (see below).
Dad also ran the Grandview Bed & Breakfast in Reedville, VA from 2000-2020. Because of his friendliness and lively and interesting conversations, Dad found much joy and developed life-long friends through the B&B. He became a sort of teacher and tour guide of his beautiful spot at the mouth of the Great Wicomico River, looking out on the Chesapeake Bay.
Chris' life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Summer Hill Lodge at
3158 Lake Village Drive, Richmond, VA 23235. Please come anytime between 1pm and 5pm. Also a graveside service and lunch will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church,154 E Church St, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Virginia Home, 1101 Hampton St,
Richmond, VA 23220 or https://thevirginiahome.org/get-involved/donate/
Online guest books are available at affinityfuneralservice.com and https://www.curriefuneralhome.net/