Obituaries

Gloria Marie Mills

Photo of Gloria Marie Mills
Gloria Marie (Carlstrom) Mills, 73, went peacefully to Jesus on February 1st, 2018, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born on June 30, 1944, in Jamestown, N.Y., to Lucile Elizabeth Bandy and Wallace Carlstrom, who was killed in an Army Air Corp plane crash a month prior to Gloria's birth. Raised by her mother and adoptive father, Browne (B.P.) Rutledge, in the small town of Kenedy, Texas, Gloria lived a block away from William (Bill) Mills, whom she would later marry. They graduated together from Kenedy High School in 1962. Gloria received an Education degree from Texas A&I in 1966. Afterward, she taught Home Economics in Texas City, while Bill went to medical school in Galveston. They married on August 26, 1967, in Kenedy. After living in San Antonio and Fort Worth, Bill and Gloria and their two children moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where they settled down to raise their family and forge life-long friendships. Gloria was a gentle, loving woman of faith, a trusted friend, and a selfless wife and mother. She cared deeply about anyone along her path and had compassion and empathy for those in need. She was an active member of her church, University Baptist, for nearly 40 years. She participated and led in Bible Study Fellowship and other Bible studies in her church. She enjoyed welcoming people into her home and into her life, making them feel like part of the family. Being a lover of nature, she took up photography, became a Master Gardener and was a member of Garden Club. However, her favorite way to spend time was with her grandchildren. She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 50 years, William C. Mills III; son, William Scott Mills (Jennifer); daughter, Kristen Hodskins (Kent); five cherished grandchildren, Aidan Hodskins, Patrick Hodskins, Lila Mills, Charlotte Mills, Barrett Mills; brother Jack Rutledge (Amparo Villablanca); brother, Duane Rutledge (Chris Congdon); sisters-in-law, Linda Olson and Kathy Lefler (Mike), and many other family members and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Wallace Carlstrom, parents, Browne and Lucille Rutledge, brother-in-law, Bruce Olson, and nephew, Clinton Lefler. A visitation will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville. There will be a private family interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to University Baptist Church Second Mile Ministries. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published February 8, 2018

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