Rev. George Laurence Mills

The Lord called home his servant, George Laurence (Larry) Mills, 69, of Bedford, VA, on Saturday, October 23, 2010. All who knew Larry knew of his passion for Jesus Christ, for his family, for his friends, and for his music. Left to cherish his memory are his father, Melvin Mills, of Bedford, VA; wife, Margaret (Maggie), also of Bedford, VA; son, Geoffrey Mills, and wife, Amy, and grandsons, Nathan Mills and Caden Mills, of Peoria, IL; son, Jared Mills, of Golden, CO; son, Joshua Mills, and wife, Keri, of Centennial, CO; daughters, Carroll Martin, of Arlington, VA; Catherine Martin, of New York, NY; brother, Ed Mills, and wife, Jane, of Batavia, OH; brother, Steve, and wife, Julie, of Vienna, VA; sister, Jean Mills, of Centreville, VA; sisters-in-law, Lis Turner, of Richmond, VA, and Shelley Campbell, of Daleville, VA; a multitude of friends he considered important members of his family; and everyone who ever heard him sing and play his saxophone.

Born in Dennison, IA, on February 4, 1941, he grew up in Pekin, IL, and joined the US Navy. After attending the US Navy School of Music, he played in the Navy Band for the next four years. After the Navy, he attended Illinois State University, earning a BS in Music Education. He formed his own dance band and performed throughout the Midwest. He also owned a music store providing music and instruments to schools in the region and sponsoring high school band competitions. After receiving his call into the ministry, he attended Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. During that time, he served in the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. After his ordination in Illinois, he served in the Central Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. When he moved from Illinois, he worked in the computer business in Northern Virginia. Called back into the ministry, he served churches in several United Methodist conferences. Most recently, he moved to Bedford and taught at Liberty High School. Upon completion of his M Ed. in Counseling, he worked as a school counselor at both Liberty High School and Bedford Middle School. After retiring from the public school system, he became the headmaster of Bedford Christian Academy and the pastor of both Laurel Grove and Peaks Presbyterian Churches.

Throughout his life, he shared his love of music with everyone he met. We will all miss his love of life, music, and laughter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at the Tharp Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ed DeBerry and Rev. John T. Salley officiating. Interment will be in the Peaks Church Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford, VA.

The family would like to thank the nursing and support staff of Bedford Memorial Hospital for their loving care of Larry and his family. Doctors Christopher Hicks and Kurt Hubach were special blessings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Peaks Presbyterian Church, PO Box 1364, Bedford, VA, 24523, or Bedford Christian Ministries, 217 W. Washington Street, Bedford, VA, 24523.

Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443.