Mereda Bell Mills

Mereda Mills went home to be with the Lord on Good Friday at the age of 83. She lost her battle with cancer but did so with dignity and grace surrounded by her family. There was nothing that meant more to her than her family. She was a long-time resident of the East Marion Community where her doors were always open for the neighborhood children. Everyone in East Marion knew that her home was their home. After retiring from Marion Manufacturing, she enjoyed working at Job Link and with her son at Buddy Mills Allstate.

She was a member of East Marion Methodist Church where she prepared communion for many years. She prepared communion with love, as she did everything in her life. Mereda cared deeply for others and showed that love in every facet of her life. She always put family first and has passed that importance down to her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her loving smile, warm hugs, quick wit, and for being the one who “loves you big!”

Mereda was born September 1, 1934 in Catawba County, North Carolina to the late Jefferson Pomeroy Bell and Edna Poovey Lingle. 

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Mills, Sr. and her sister, Kathleen Shook.

Left behind to cherish Mereda’s memories are three children, Donette Medford (Allen) of Marion, NC, Buddy Mills (Cindy) of Marion, NC and Jackie Cox (Eugene) of Raleigh, NC; five grandchildren, Kasey Gardner (Shane), Jami Boyd (Kyle), Matthew Mills (Jessica), Emily Cox and Christopher Cox; three great grandchildren, Caleb Gardner, Logan Gardner, and Callen Mills; and one brother, Jack Bell (Marilyn) of Jamestown, NC.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Beam Funeral Service.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at East Marion Methodist Church with Reverends Phil Tate, Matt Mills, Dr. Tom Walker, and Mrs. Jami Boyd officiating.  Interment will follow the service at McDowell Memorial Park.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated, but those wishing to make memorials in Mereda’s memory are asked to consider the East Marion United Methodist Women’s fund at PO Box 2481 Marion, NC 28752.