Sarah Frances Gray Mills

Sarah Frances Gray Mills, 85, of Blackbeard Dr., Oriental, NC died September 20, 2015, at Grantsbrook Nursing Facility, Grantsboro, NC. Frances was a native of North Carolina. Born May 1, 1930 in Salisbury, NC. She was the daughter of the late Joseph James Gray and Sarah Malony Gray. Frances was also predeceased by her brother, Joseph James Gray, Jr.

Frances and family later moved to New Hanover County, NC and she graduated from New Hanover High School in 1948 and married childhood sweetheart James Frederick Mills, from Wilmington, NC on September 14, 1948. Frances spent much of her adult life in Wilmington. She was a very active member of the Winter Park Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Woman’s Missionary Union.

Frances, Jimmy and family moved to the Maryland area in 1960. Family was always first in her life. She was also an accomplished seamstress, cook and loved boating on the Chesapeake with friends and family. Frances, Jimmy and their eldest son, Rick owned and operated the restaurant “The Barrister Inn” in Annapolis, MD.

Frances was a loving mother of four, adored wife and devoted friend to many. She and her husband retired to Oriental in 1986 where she became an active member of the Oriental community. Frances and Jimmy are also members of the Oriental First Baptist Church.

Frances is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jimmy Mills; sons, James Frederick Mills, Jr. “Rick” and wife, Nancy, of Woodbine, MD, Mark Mills and wife, Dale, of Arnold, MD; daughters, Karen Mills and Sheri Mills Watkins and husband, Scott, of Severna Park, MD. Frances is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Megan, Stacie, Melanie, Chrissy, Jamie, Stephen and William; as well as 13 great grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Inurnment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Wilmington, NC. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Frances's family would like to thank all the staff of Grantsbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility for giving Frances such loving car during her stay in Grantsbrook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or Oriental First Baptist Church, PO Box 313, Oriental, NC 28517.