Shirley Rose Mills

Shirley Rose Mills, loving wife, mother and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior June 12, 2014. She was born in Ordway, Colo., on April 5, 1931, to Joseph and Ruby Catherine (Shafer) Zimmerman. She had 12 brothers and sisters. Shirley spent most of her life in the Northwest Arkansas area. She graduated from West Fork High School in 1949, and soon afterward married Ralph Mills, the love of her life until his passing in 1982. Ralph was disabled in the mid-1950s, and from then on, Shirley supported her family. She was employed by the Garment Factory, then Standard Register, where she worked for many years. After retiring, she made drapes, ironed clothes and cleaned houses. She moved her mother into her home and cared for her until her passing; later she did the same for her aunt. She also raised her three sons. They, along with her grandchildren, were her pride and joy throughout her life. She worked hard, smiled often and never complained. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; six brothers; and three sisters. Shirley is survived by her three sons, Larry Mills and Jim Mills of Fayetteville, and Kevin Mills and wife, Cheryl, of Lincoln; two granddaughters, Wendy Mae Clanton and Jimisa Mills-Springer; five great-granddaughters, Susan, Karlee, Haley, Anna and Erika; and three sisters. The family will be receiving friends for the visitation Monday, June 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Beards Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville. A memorial service, officiated by Jack English, will be held at Center Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville at 2 p.m. There will be a private burial at Brentwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ken Mills, Mike Mills, Clay Springer, Neil Adams, Michael Clanton and Dusty Allsup. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.