Stephen Glenn Mills, Sr.

Stephen Glenn Mills, Sr. (Steve), age 88, entered his eternal home on October 17, 2025.  Born on October 26, 1936, Steve was one of six children of the late James Marcus Mills and Madie English Mills. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Mills Popik.

After graduating from Wallace High School, Steve was employed by J.P. Stevens (SteveCo Knit) for more than 40 years. Instrumental in ushering the company into the computer age, he became the head of the Data Processing Department. Additionally, he and Jan owned a Singer sewing machine business in the 1970’s and a Japanese maple nursery in their later years. Steve also enjoyed farming on his John Deere tractor.  A true patriot, Steve proudly served in the N.C. Army National Guard for eight years.

Steve was a loving husband, father, grandfather, sibling, and friend. A man of great faith, he attended First Baptist Church of Wallace. He also enjoyed years of Bible Study Fellowship International. Steve was known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and generosity. He was a good neighbor and friend who put others before himself. Steve was an avid golfer, a hobby he enjoyed with family during holidays and vacations. He also played the guitar, and his love of music is shared by his children and grandchildren.

Steve is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janice Cottle Mills, daughter Kim Weaver (Gary) of Goldsboro, daughter Lisa Sasser (Byron) of Lewisville, son Stephen Mills, Jr. (Summer) of Hampstead, grandchildren Lauren Weaver of Warsaw, Blake Weaver (Alaina) of Durham, Kristen Sasser of Raleigh, Haedyn and Kendall Mills of Hampstead, and great-grandchildren Lyla Weaver, Beckett Weaver, and Winnie Weaver. He is also survived by siblings James Mills of Wallace, David Mills (Sandra) of Macon, Georgia, Joe Mills (Betty) of Raleigh, Emily McCraven (Spencer) of Cary, and many other loving relatives.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace, NC, with Pastor Merrell Mckoy officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online at www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at https://give.michaeljfox.org/campaign/725318/donate or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to the staff of Poplar Grove Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice for the loving and compassionate care given to Steve in his final months.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wallace is serving the Mills family.

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