Ray Mills

Ray Mills, lifelong Beggs resident, died Monday morning, April 13, 2009 at the age of 81.  He was born November 15, 1927 in Beggs to Marvel Samuel and Lona Louise (Holden) Mills.  He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  Ray married Erna Bryant on June 24, 1955 in Okmulgee.  Ray was a mail carrier for 27 ½ years and was a farmer and rancher.  Ray enjoyed bluegrass music, fishing and gardening, and he especially enjoyed working with young people.  He received an Honorary Degree from the Livestock Board, was an Honorary FFA Member and an active member of the First Baptist Church.   Ray was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Louise Mills, two brothers, Carl and Robert Mills and a son, Carl Earnest Mills.  Survivors include his wife, Erna, of the home, a son, Darrell Mills of Beggs, two daughters, Erna Dianne James of Beggs, Tammy Gail Miller of Norman, four brothers, Jessie Mills and wife Mary, Jay Mills and wife Paula and Ralph Mills and wife Esther, all of Beggs, and James Mills of Okmulgee, a sister, Marie Harris and husband Dan of Beggs, grandchildren, April Hale, Michael Cagle, Sara Beller, Eran Farrow, Kendal Mills, Rayna Mills, and Cathryn Mills, and great grandchildren, Phoenix Farrow, Dylan Mills, Haileigh Mills, Jonas Farrow and Taytum Mills.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 17, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Beggs with Reverend Archie Rivers officiating.  Interment will follow in the Beggs Cemetery.  Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday from 12-8 P.M.  Casketbearers will be Ryan Beller, Michael Cagle, Kendal Mills, Jerry Phillips, Robert Turner, Martin Mount.  Honorary Casketbearers will be Bruce Burton, Gerald Toon, Larry Harvey, Buz Henson, Billy Paul Anderson, Bill Wilburn, Jim Pilkington, and Patrick Hale.  Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Beggs.  Online condolences may be sent at www.mcclendon-winters.com