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Dr. Freddie Virgil MIlls
November 16, 1934 - September 9, 2019
Virgil Mills was born in Charlotte Beach, Florida, November 16, 1934, and moved at an early age with his family to Manatee County. His parents found a home in Palmetto, where they lived and raised their children. Virgil developed such a love for the area, that he happily returned from life ventures connected to education, military service or work. Manatee County was always home.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sally, as well as his son Steve, (Brenda) Mills, his daughter Mary Beth (Kevin) Jobe; his grandchildren: Justis Mills, Haven (Rafael) Diaz, great grandson Israel Diaz; his brother, Leo Mills, sister-in-law Dot, and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mable Mills; two sisters, Tessie Mills and Eleata Barnhill; two brothers, James and Ed Mills; and his niece, Judy Mills.
Virgil graduated from the University 0f Georgia in 1957. He played three sports for Georgia, but following graduation, he was always a die-hard fan for the University of Florida, where in later years, he earned his Master's Degree and his Doctorate. After graduation from Georgia, Virgil was hired to teach Social Studies and coach basketball at Elberton High School in Georgia. Before the school year was over, he was drafted into the US Army. He and Sally settled in Lawton, Oklahoma, close to Ft. Sill. At First Baptist Church of Lawton, together, they dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ. Virgil was released early from the Army to fill a teaching position at Palmetto High School in science (2 years), a critical educational field at that time. He also coached in the sports program. He was then appointed Dean of Students for two years. During the next 10 years, Virgil served as principal of Parrish Elementary (63-64), Bayshore Jr. High (64-66), Palmetto High (66-70), and Southeast High (70-73).
After a year at the University of Florida to finish his Doctorate Degree, Virgil became Director of Planning, Reports and Federal Programs for Manatee County Schools (9 years), then Director of Secondary Education (4 years), culminating in filling the position of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction from 1983 to retirement in 1995. Thus ended a satisfying and fulfilling educational career. A highlight of his career was working within a team of educators he both respected and admired.
Ten years after retirement, in November, 2004, Virgil was deeply humbled to have a new elementary school named after him, honoring his steadfast commitment to Manatee County Schools. After a brief period of retirement, Virgil joined Ellenton Realty, first as agent, then as owner. He later sold the company to A. Paradise Realty, but stayed on as a sales agent, giving him a very enjoyable 12 years as a realtor. He loved to be of service to others, so finding homes and business opportunities for his clients was the perfect job for him at that time.
Virgil had many loves: Jesus, times with his family, his church, (which included serving in so many capacities over the 58 years of his time there). He especially loved teaching Sunday School. He invested many hours in preparation, research and prayer, to have a fresh word for his classes on Sundays. The choir was a joy for him beyond compare. He often declared choir practice the musical high point of the week, and was saddened beyond words when he could no longer participate, due to health concerns.
Virgil loved playing any competitive sport that involved a ball: tennis, golf, baseball, softball, basketball, football, volleyball, ping-pong. He loved fishing for bass at Lake Okeechobee, mullet in the Manatee River, trout in North Carolina streams, and anywhere else in between. He loved hiking, biking, mountain climbing and bird watching. Virgil especially loved annual hunting trips to Texas and Alabama with like-minded buddies, plus turkey hunting with his brother, Leo. He loved eating with friends and family at home, and in favorite restaurants. Virgil loved and appreciated loyal friends, hugs, children and back rubs. And finally, in his last days, he found such peace and comfort in the presence of his wife, children, grandchildren, caregivers and friends.
His special delight was each visit with his new great grandson, Israel. Virgil Mills left this world on September 9, 2019 after a brave and hard fought battle with Alzheimer's disease. His life touched hundreds of boys and girls, men and women, in positive ways. He will always be missed by those who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Palmetto, 1020 4th St., W., Palmetto, FL 34221. Visitation will begin at 10 A.M. A light lunch will be served following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Virgil Mills Elementary School or to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, FL.
Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave., E., Ellenton, FL 34222 in charge.
- Complied from various sources
Eulogy from Mr. MIlls son Steve:
Thanks to all of you for being here today to honor my father. As a boy and a young man, Dad was always intriguing and slightly mysterious to me. He was a quiet man - especially in the first half of his life - with heavy footsteps and a graceful, athletic smoothness. He kept a firm control on his emotions, and I learned most of what I knew about his feelings and hopes for me by eavesdropping on his conversations with God around our kitchen table. The Mills family practiced a daily devotion, with Mom reading the devotional book and Dad reading the accompanying scripture, and every devotion ended in holding hands and prayer. When it was his turn, Dad would pray for us, sometimes very specifically, and though these words were few, they were from his heart, and I relished the feel of my hand in his. Though he wasn’t a big talker, Dad was gentle with us, and watchful, and attentive to our physical needs. His intensity had purpose, and he made us feel safe. He spanked very sparingly - six or seven times in my boisterous, discipline deserving childhood - and he never yelled. The things my Dad loved he bent his heart to with a fierce and unwavering commitment. His consistency and intensity of focus cannot be overstated. He loved our mother. He loved his family. He loved Jesus. He loved the First Baptist Church of Palmetto. He loved Education and Manatee County Schools. He loved athletic expression. These are the things that filled his life. These commitments were sacred and often epic in their application. If I had to choose one thing that sets Dad apart from every other person I've ever known, it would be his presumption to serve. Dad was unwavering in his spontaneous attempts to serve, rescue, or protect others. It was almost as if he'd been Knighted. He rarely passed a hitchhiker without offering a lift; no stranded motorist was ever passed by without an inquiry; no person ever carried the load they started with if he saw the slightest struggle. At least twice in his life, Dad crossed restaurants to successfully apply the Heimlich to a choking diner, and once, at an outdoor gospel concert, I watched Dad somehow float over an acre of families on blankets to get to a man he'd somehow noticed was in cardiac distress. In all these situations, Dad would calmly assert control, give directions, apply the needed technical assistance, and then retreat quietly. It was an extraordinary feature of his entire life, and caused a few problems at the end when he was surrounded by peers with walkers who may have needed but didn't necessarily want assistance. At the very end, when none of us believed Dad could stand on his own, he leapt from his bed and crossed to a place where one of his caregivers had tripped and fallen so that he could pat and comfort him. I am so proud of this aspect of my father’s life - his radical presumption to serve. The last chapter of Dad's life was tragic and confusing, and it complicates our grief today. Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases are no respecter of persons, and pose a challenge to the sanity and faith of everyone in the caregiver system. No one will ever know what my mother went through in the seven years of this affliction, and the sheer will she employed to keep my father as safe and happy as possible. We never completely lost him; to the end his essence was palpable, and his virtue clear. He fought courageously, and he was ravaged. This wouldn't be a Baptist funeral without an exhortation of some kind, and I'll close with this. It is confusing to know what to do for a family struggling with an extended trial like Alzheimer's. There is shame, and despair, and a legacy built over a lifetime that everyone - family and community - wants to keep intact. It's hard to know what to do, or say, or offer. It's hard to imagine how bad it really is, and families will not advertise their pain. My advice is to simply ask, and keep asking, "What do you need? What do you need most right now?" It’s a simple, honest question If enough people ask, and keep asking as the disease progresses and families learn how to accept help, there is a chance for true community support without too great a burden on any one neighbor. It is a privilege to stand before you today and say goodbye to my father on ground he held sacred and in a community he loved. He left his mark with strength and sweetness, and his memory will be cherished. Thank you.
