Virginia Allen Mills

Services for Virginia Allen Mills, 86, of Elko, SC, will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in the Folk Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at her home, 323 Thompson St, Elko, SC. Burial will be in the Williston Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Creech Mills, Sr., Creech Mills, Jr., Michael Schumpert, David Deering, Toby Singletary, and Jeff Jackson. Virginia passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Lexington Medical Center surrounded by family.

Born in Bamberg County, SC, she was a daughter of the late Foster Allen and Ruth Jones Allen. Virginia was a member of Barnwell Church of Christ and Williston Church of Christ. She was a graduate of Bamberg High School and attended the Perry Business School of Savannah.

Virginia Mills was a faithful servant of God and her community. She took great joy in being a fosterparent. Having moved to Elko in 1964, Mrs. Mills served the Town of Elko as a Councilwoman for two years and as Town Clerk for 40 years. She was instrumental in securing the funding for and the installation of the Elko Water System. Virginia helped organize the Elko Fire Department and served as an active member for 26 years. She was the first person to drive Elko’s first fire truck.

Virginia was appointed to the Barnwell County Registration and Election Commission in 1983 and served for 40 years—of which she served as Chairperson of the Commission her last 14 years of service. Virginia also served as secretary to Williston Magistrate Judge A.W. “Bebo” Flynn from 1983 to 1997.

Dedicated to the school that her children and grandchildren attended, Virginia served as a Trustee of Jefferson Davis Academy for 10 years. Survivors include her loving husband of 52 years, Leonard Wilson Mills; daughters, Marylynn (Andy) Rickenbacker of Orangeburg, Paula Lynn Miller of Lexington, Monica Lynn Mills of Eastover, Ginger Ranae (Bruce) Dyer of Irmo; son, Quincy Jennings Rountree, Jr. of Williston; grandchildren, James Quincy (Brandi) Cooper of Cayce, Robert Blaine (Heather) Cooper of Lexington, Tiffany Paige Rickenbacker of Orangeburg, Tina Michelle Rickenbacker of Orangeburg, Jessica Ann Floyd of Williston, Wesley (Katherine) Osborne of Eastover, Paige (K.C.) Presler of Charlotte, NC and Ashley (Will) Howard of Kennesaw, GA; sisters, Vera Elizabeth Spires of Blythewood and Annie Mae Padgett of Branchville; great-grandchildren, Gini McKinley Miller, Chase Evan Cooper, James Randall Cooper, Jorga Lynn Cooper, Caleb Sweatman, Hunter Wilson Cooper, Addison Jean Cooper, Mason Wesley Osborne, Claire Osborne, Lawton Howard, Everest Howard, Ozzie Presler and Koah Pressler.

She was widowed by the late Frances Oliver Gunnells and the late Quincy Jennings Rountree, Sr.

She was preceded in death by daughters, Sylvia Ann Norris and Janice Marie Rountree Stroud; a brother, John F. Allen; and her faithful friend, Rebecca Armstrong.

Virginia also leaves behind many dedicated and loyal friends including, Cindy and Eddie Terry of Elko, John Trottie of Elko, and Liana Orr of Williston; as well as caregivers, Megan Owens, Elizabeth “Beth” Rogers, Priscilla Sanders, Lydia Rodriguez and Debra Hartzog.

Memorials may be made to Williston Church of Christ, PO Box 255, Williston, SC 29853.

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