Jimmie Lee Layton Mills

Jimmie Lee Layton Mills was born January 19, 1915 in Eureka, Texas to Jim and Dee Taylor Layton. She entered into the Father's arms March 21, 2012 at the age of 97. She was a member of the College church of Christ. She grew up in Dallas and graduated from Forest Avenue High School before attending Harding College in Morrilton 1932-34. She returned to Dallas, then moved to Houston where she worked for Cameron Iron Works. Mrs. Mills moved to San Antonio in December 1940 and began work for the Medical Supply Depot at Ft. Sam Houston. She met James W. Mills, who was stationed in San Antonio, in February 1941, and they were married May 9, 1943 by Jesse P. Sewell at Grove Avenue church of Christ. While her husband was stationed in England, Mrs. Mills returned to Houston to stay with her parents and gave birth to their first child. Captain Mills returned home in July 1945, and the family welcomed a son and lived in Houston, Tomball, and Ennis, Texas. As the wife of a minister Jimmie Lee was a devoted Bible class teacher, hostess, and coordinator for showers and weddings. She was a room mother during the years her children were in school and started a Brownie troop for her daughter and a Cub Scout den for her son. She was active in PTA both in Ennis and Searcy, Harding Women, and a charter member of Associated Women for Harding. The family moved to Searcy in 1958, and Mrs. Mills worked at Harding Bookstore and later at College church as the first secretary. She returned to college and finished her degree in 1970, taught first grade at Kensett for three years, then helped start the kindergarten program at Bradford and taught there three years. Jimmie Lee thoroughly enjoyed being a mother, and later she showered that same love on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She often said she didn't love the great grandchildren more than she had loved her children and grandchildren, but she just saw love abundantly multiplied and her cup overflowing when they came along. She loved to cook, sew, paint, garden, and be with family and friends. Jimmie Lee was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and an aunt, Inez Taylor McCoy, whom her parents had raised. She is survived by a daughter, Deanna and Cleve Brooks of Searcy; a son, Kenneth and Kay Mills of Searcy; two grandsons, Jimmy and Mary Alice Brooks of Searcy, and Keith and Jenny Brooks of Benton and two granddaughters, Rebecca Mills of Searcy, and Jennifer Mills of Little Rock. Beloved great grandchildren are Hannah, Ethan, and Luke Brooks of Benton, and Mark, Annalee, and KatieMarie Brooks of Searcy. Memorials may be made to Timothy Hill Children's Ranch, 298 Middle Road, Riverhead, NY 11901-9805 or to College Church of Christ Missions Fund, 712 East Race, Searcy, AR 72143.