Mr. Ottis Mills, 86, after an eleven year valiant battle with liver cancer, has finally won the race and gone to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 11, 2018. Born on Nov. 12, 1931 in Pitt County, he was the son of the late Nasby (Nabe) Mills and Elizabeth Ann (Lizzie) Adams Mills.

The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Washington Assembly of God Church. Entombment will follow by Wilkerson Funeral Home at Pinewood Memorial Park. The service will be officiated by Mr. Mills’ Nephews, Reverend Curtis Lee Mills, Reverend Glenn Alan Mills, and Washington Assembly of God Pastor, Reverend Daniel Haskett.

The pallbearers will be Clarence Mills, Donald Cannon, David Salmon, Michael Salmon, Ray Everett, and Frank McLawhorn.

Ottis graduated from Chicod High School in 1950 and through the years maintained a strong bond in friendship with his classmates. He began farming at an early age and farmed until 1963 when due to tough times, he decided to follow a new path and went into Barbering. He moved to Washington in 1969 and was the owner operator of Washington Squire Barber Shop until his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed working with the public and felt a closeness to his customers and was thankful for their support and friendship.

Mr. Ottis was well known for cooking fudge for his friends at Christmas, often making close to a hundred pounds of fudge each year. Many looked forward to the opportunity to enjoy his homemade fudge. He attained all his dreams in life and spent his remaining years living at Bayside overlooking the Chocowinity Bay which he so greatly loved, not only for himself, but mostly for his family which they call Papa’s River. He was a humble member of the Washington Assembly of God Church, He gave God praise for blessings received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to his parents Mr. Mills was preceded in death by brothers, Samuel, Ernest, Robert, Elbert, and Curtis Mills. Sisters, Ludie Mills Cannon, Hollie Mills Phillips and Magdalene Mills Salmon.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Irene Mills Mills, who was the love of his life; one son, Randy Stephen Mills and wife Tomenah Hudson Mills of Washington. One Granddaughter, Jamie Mills Harrison, who was the apple of his eye, Husband Jason, of Washington. Two Great Grandsons, Jackson Stephen Harrison and Mills Scott Harrison. He was affectionately known as Papa. There are not enough words to ever express the love he had not only for family, but for others. He will be greatly missed, but our joy is knowing he loved God and was one of His humble servants.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Washington Assembly of God Church in Washington, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to the Washington Assembly of God Youth Ministry.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by Community Home Care and Hospice of Washington.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences at www.WilkersonFuneralHome.com.