Obituary - James Ernest Mills, Sr.

ARJAY — James Ernest Mills Sr., 78, a resident of Arjay, Kentucky, peacefully entered into eternal life on August 18, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. James was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. James was born on November 20, 1937 on Stinking Creek at Mills, KY (Knox Co.) to Clarence Hobart and Stella Mills, who preceded him in death. James married his high school sweetheart, Bernadine Carnes at the First Baptist Church in Tazewell, Tennessee in 1956. This August 31st, James and Bernadine would have celebrated 60 years of marriage. They moved to Michigan, had three children and James worked 17 ½ years for General Motors in Warren before moving his family back to Kentucky in 1971 to become an owner in Mills Furniture and Appliance Store, Inc. He became sole owner of the business in 1981. Throughout his life, James worked as a member and officer in various organizations that strive to assist others in the community and across the state. James was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pineville. He was one of the founding members of the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department and served as an officer, firefighter or member for 37 years. He was Past President of the Bell County 4-H Adult Council. James served as Past President of the Pineville Kiwanis and was an honorary lifetime member of the club. He was also the Past President of the Bell County Shrine Club and an Ambassador of the Oleika Shrine Temple. He was a lifetime member of the Bell Lodge #691 and the Northern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite. Additionally, James was a past officer and member of Pineville Chapter #89 Order of the Eastern Star. He received many public honors and recognitions as well. James was an Honorary Kentucky Colonel; Colonel, Aide de Camp, Commissioner's Staff of the Kentucky State Police, Commonwealth of Kentucky; Honorary Judge Executive Knox County, KY; and an Honorary Citizen of Pineville. James is survived by his loving wife and steadfast companion, Bernadine Carnes Mills of Arjay, KY. He is also survived by his three children: Bridget (Gary) Baker of Middlesboro, KY; James Ernest (Deborah) Mills Jr. and Rev. Timothy Hobart Mills both of Arjay. Four special grandchildren: James Ernest Mills III of Arjay, KY, Brittany Elizabeth Baker of Middlesboro, KY, Megan Danielle Mills of Richmond, KY, and Morgan Alexandria Mills of Arjay, KY. He is also survived by two sisters: Bobbie Jean (Alton Ray) Hicks of Manchester, KY and Peggy Mills King (Bert) of Mt. Vernon, KY. A sister, Alice (John) Shelton preceded him in death. A sister-in-law, Imogene Mills of Arjay, KY also survives him. Also mourning his passing is a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Serving the family as pallbearers are his nephews: Douglas Critt Hicks, Bert Hanley King and Joey Shelton. Cousins serving as pallbearers are: Curt Messer, Glen Messer, LeRoy Hale, Ben Tye Smith, Donnie Mills, Lowell Mills, Jerry Lee Mills and Jerry Mills. Honorary pallbearers are: T.J. Carnes, Gobel Hale, Frank D. Bingham, Kenneth Messer, Otis Mills, Bell County Shriners and Bell County Volunteer firefighters. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Pineville, KY on Friday, August 26, 2016 from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. The service will be conducted by his son, Rev. Tim H. Mills, as his children will lead in the celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: The UT Medical Center Cancer Institute, 1926 Alcoa Highway Suite 310, Knoxville, TN 37920; Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children c/o Bell County Shrine Club, P.O. Box 991, Middlesboro, KY 40965 or First Baptist Church, 405 West Kentucky Avenue, Pineville, KY 40977. Interment will be in the Binghamtown Cemetery at Dewitt, KY immediately following the funeral service. Masonic funeral rites will be conducted at the cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Hopper Funeral Home of Barbourville, KY

Becoming a Teacher

You know that summer is coming to a close when the local football team is having two-a- day practice sessions, teachers are talking about in-service days prior to school beginning and students are in full swing either preparing for school or talking about it in a dreadful way. Any day now we should see school bus drivers making practice runs and school zone signs should be flashing reminding drivers to lower their speed and drive extra cautious in those areas. School is one of those institutional experiences not to mention a requirement by law that provides the opportunity for our children and teenagers to grow, learn and experience the beginning of some of the many opportunities and challenges they will face throughout their lifetime. While some students look upon education in a negative view school is a real opportunity to change the mindset or at least expose students to truth, even if it is not embraced full by them. Teachers are uniquely placed in a position because of their chosen profession to impact the lives of not just students but parents and even siblings. Students need inspiration, motivation and encouragement. It could be said that this same prescription is what we all need, but even more so when the mind is developing and a students interest is teased and absorbing knowledge. My personal experience in motivating others has faced many challenges. Meeting a mind that has been allowed to remain dormant with no encouragement regarding opinion, or empowerment for self expression puts motivators in a position that could allow for an easy 'giving-up' on them attitude. This however doesn't excuse us from the responsibility of engaging and helping students and others from finding a new height, new experience or even a new opportunity. Standing before us in time is a moment to make a difference for another individual using our talents, interest and experiences. As this new school year begins I want to challenge not just teachers but parents of young children, we grandparents and even neighbors of children and teens to seize a moment to invest in someone else. Will we meet resistance, yes by some. Will others latch on and become absorbing machines of learning, yes if we are willing to give. There is no opportunity like today to become a teacher if not in the classroom, then by becoming a teachers outside the classroom. Until then