Mary Ellen Mills, age 93, passed away July 12, 2024 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, MO.

She was born October 11, 1930 to the late Delmar B. Russell and Floy Altha Pearson.

Mary Ellen graduated from Sikeston High School in 1948. She was a seamstress and did alterations for King Cleaners and The Accent Shop. Her love for Jesus and children is what made her a dedicated Sunday School teacher at Miner Baptist Church for many years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

On September 23, 1950 in Piggott, AR, she married William A. Mills, he preceded her in death in 2016.

She is survived by her children, Sherry (Dick) Nelson of Jefferson City, MO and William (Janet) Mills, Jr. of Sikeston, MO; her grandchildren, Matt Nelson (Jessica Green) of Silva, MO, Jon Nelson (Sarah) of Jefferson City, MO, Ben Nelson (Jessica Paine) of Kennett, MO, and Josh Mills (Brittney) of Cape Girardeau, MO; her great-grandchildren, Ally Nelson of Columbia, MO, Riley Nelson and Makayla Nelson of Jefferson City, MO, Emalee Nelson, Dutch Nelson, Annie Nelson, and Cotton Nelson of Kennett, MO; Lawson Mills, Duncan Mills, Stella Mills, and Graham Mills of Cape Girardeau, MO; one brother, Ken Russell of Poplar Bluff, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Amos Russell, Clyde Russell, George Russell, and Fred Russell; six sisters, Geroma Cook, Bernice McMurphy, Ilene Kennedy, Ressa Shelton, Wilma Gregory, and Margaret Mallett.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 19, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 12:00 noon at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, MO.

Interment service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.

Pallbearers will be Matt Nelson, Jon Nelson, Ben Nelson, Josh Mills, Lawson Mills, and Duncan Mills.