Wanda Mills

Wanda Parnell Mills, 77, of Collinsville, IL, passed away peacefully in her home on August 16 ^th , 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family, encouraged with hymns, and kept warm with her UNC blanket.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Coy and Blanche Parnell (nee Hartman), her stepmother Eunice Parnell, and by her ex-husband, Albert Gurney Mills. She leaves a legacy of unwavering love to her surviving family; sons, Jeffery (Angela) Mills, and Jonathan (Ruth) Mills; daughter Jennifer Mills; and grandchildren, Caleb Mills, Lorien Mills, and Thalia Mills.

Wanda was born on June 9 ^th , 1947, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the only child of Coy and Blanche Parnell. Wanda had a happy childhood full of many fond memories of playing in the neighborhood, Moravian Easter sunrise services, and annual family vacations to both Florida and her beloved Carolina mountains.

Wanda married Albert Gurney Mills in 1966 and a year later gave birth to their first child, Jeff. In 1975 Gurney’s job transferred him from North Carolina to Lincoln, IL, where twins, Jonathan and Jennifer were born. Wanda loved to play piano and used this skill faithfully, serving in worship ministry at Lincoln Southern Baptist Church until she and the twins relocated to Fairview Heights, IL in 1986. There, Wanda joined First Baptist Church of Fairview Heights where she served in worship ministry, children’s ministry, and eventually joined the church staff as secretary to the pastor. For the last 19 years Wanda worked primarily in the jewelry industry until her retirement from Artigem in July of 2024.

Wanda worked hard, loved faithfully, and sacrificed without complaint for her family and friends. She was simultaneously a strong, independent woman, and a caregiver who met others’ needs before her own, often at great personal sacrifice. She loved the Lord and His Word and relied on His promises in times of both ease and terrible hardship. She was a southern belle to the end, putting her best, most put-together, fashionable, foot forward. Wanda was a good friend, the cool grandma, always game for long talks over good wine, and full of southern-Wanda-isms. You’d be fixin’ for a come to Jesus meeting if you root for Duke. She was faithful and found goodness in even the hardest moments of life.

But if Wanda had a hallmark feature it was her all-in devotion to her North Carolina home and the UNC Tarheels. You needed only see her car, workstation, home décor, or clothing to know her opinion on Carolina basketball. Go Heels!

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 28 ^th at Bethel Baptist Church, Troy, IL Visitation opens to the public at 10 am, with Wanda’s service to proceed immediately after, at 11am. A funeral meal will follow for those who would like to stay after and visit with family.

Donations may be made on Wanda’s behalf to support local prison and reentry ministry by way of:  1. Check made payable to Bethel Baptist Church memoed to:  Wanda Mills Memorial    -or-

2. Via Text to Give. Text any dollar amount to 84321 and contact Alicia Kimbrel in the Bethel Baptist Church office at 618-667-7775 to make her aware of your gift amount.