Shirley Ann Ryan Mills

Shirley Ann Ryan Mills, 85, passed from this life December 17, 2022. She was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas to the late James and Iva Gene Ryan.

Shirley graduated from Valley View in 1955 and married the love of her life, the late Romie “Dub” Mills in 1956.

After a short stint in Michigan, Dub joined the United States Army and her life as a military wife began. She loved being in the army community and made many friends wherever they were stationed. She was always on a search for a better place to rent and would often move while Dub was at work. He would come home to a note telling him where they now lived! It was during this time that her love for travel grew.  She discovered the ocean and fell in love with the beach. This small-town girl realized the world was a beautiful and marvelous place and made it a priority to experience as much of it as possible her entire life.

In 1958, Shirley became a mother to a beautiful blue-eyed boy – Wesley. Together they made the most out of the Army base in Fort Benning, Georgia. Much to the frustration of his young mother, Wesley spent most of his time escaping every fence and barrier on his tricycle and being brought home by the base MP’s!

Wesley adventures never ceased, and his mother adored him. She loved watching him play basketball and was at every game.

In the early 60’s the Army life ended and life on the farm in Arkansas began. It is here that she discovered gardening. It became a lifelong passion beginning with vegetables and ending with peonies, roses, sunflowers, callas, and every cut flower that could be grown in the hot Arkansas summer. Little did she realize how this passion would benefit her next big adventure – having a baby girl!

Baby Bridgette completed her, and Dub’s family and she would probably say she was her biggest challenge! Shirley and Bridgette would spend a lifetime together and while they were very different in temperament, they were exactly what each other needed. Shirley rarely watched television and spent her evenings reading with Bridgette. The love of learning was the biggest gift she gave her daughter, and I am forever grateful. Our home was a favorite to all my friends because my mother was fun and enjoyed observing our adventures without a lot of questions. It was a glorious way to grow up for both of us as we worked together with wonderful people at the Posey Peddler for over 30 years and she loved every one of them.

Shirley loved Valley View Highschool, and her classmates loved her. In her Senior year she was voted Most Popular, Senior Favorite, Prettiest Girl, Best All -Around and with Dub, were voted Mr. and Miss. VVHS. She was in the Junior play and was a member of the girls’ basketball team and FHA. She didn’t really want to play basketball but loved the uniform.

Shirley spent the rest of her life gathering beautiful and lovely things. She was thrilled when Bridgette married Greg Arnold because he brought a love of music into her home. They shared a special bond and in the last years of her life they would often just sit and listen to music every night. He called her his Pearl, and she loved him truly.

Shirley’s life was not without tragedy. Both of her beautiful grandsons died tragically between 2004-2009. This heartbreak cannot be described.

Joy returned to her heart when Wesley found the love of his life and married the wonderful Valerie Jackson Hendrix in 2006. Valerie’s pure spirit and generous heart brought her peace and joy.

Becoming a grandmother again at 67 brought a much-needed thrill to Shirley’s heart. She completely spoiled baby boy, Mills Arnold, because she could and no one and nothing would stop her.

Shirley Ann Mills created her best life -she bloomed wherever she was planted.  “You are never too old to be cute” was her favorite quote. She was a success.

Shirley is survived by one son, Wesley Mills (Valerie)

One daughter, Bridgette Mills Arnold (Greg)

One Grandson - Mills Arnold.

One sister and brother – Martha Talarico and Jerry Ryan of Michigan.

Many nieces and nephews, especially Rachael Mills Crisler and Mark Mills.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Romie “Dub” Mills,

Grandson Ryan Mills, Grandson David Mills,

Brother and sister Sherman Ryan and Glenda Youmans

A visitation and gathering will be at Emerson Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 from 5-7pm. Candy will be provided.

Graveside service will be Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 11am at McDaniel Cemetery.

Pallbearers – Wesley Mills, Greg Arnold, Mills Arnold, Mark Mills, Linden Hall

Honorary Pallbearers – Every person who worked at the Posey Peddler.