Erna Bell Mills

Erna Bell Mills, longtime resident of Beggs, passed away Friday, September 22, 2023 at her home. She was born June 24, 1936 in Tuskegee to the late Silas Russell and Cleopatra Elmine (Stanley) Bryant. At the age of eighteen, Erna married Ray Mills. They raised cattle, pigs and sheep. Ray tended to their large garden while Erna canned the vegetables to provide food for the year. Many laughs were had over corn shucking, which was usually an all-day event. The grandkids loved to grab corn sandwiches as she cut it off the cobb. She enjoyed playing basketball and doing cartwheels with the grandkids when they were young. Erna and Ray also hosted many gospel and bluegrass singings over the years. Erna attended Oak Grove Church until Covid prevented her from going. Erna was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ray, siblings, Vicki Bryant, Kathleen McClain, Russell Bryant, Ora LaDon Oliver, Hershel Bryant, Avious Benavidez, and Dorford Bryant, children, Diane Fulton, Carl “Buddy” Mills and Judy Mills and grandchildren, Kendal and Sarah Mills. Survivors include her children, Darrell Mills and wife Robin and Tammy Miller and husband Mark, siblings, Jan Phillips and husband Jerry and Lyle Bryant and wife Betty, grandchildren, April Hale and husband Patrick, Sara Beller and husband Ryan, Eran Farrow, Mike Cagle, Rayna Zivojin and husband Jonel, and Katie Mills, great grandchildren, Brody Beller, Kinley Beller, Dylan Mills, Haileigh Mills-McDonald, Taytum Mills, Teagan Mills, Phoenix Casparis, Jonas Farrow, Tifa Miller, Vicki Zivojin and Jack Zivojin, great great grandson, Javen Miller, a son-in-law, Richard Fulton and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Crossroads Baptist Church with Reverend Zack Barnhart officiating. Interment will follow in the Beggs Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Erna’s Tribute Page of our website. www.mcclendon-winters.com

Erna Bell Mills

June 24, 1936 - September 22, 2023