Obituary of John Anderson Mills, Jr.

John Anderson Mills, Jr., 86, husband of Marie Eaddy Mills died Monday, November 25, 2024, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia. Born May 7, 1938, in Charleston, he was a son of the late John Anderson Mills and Jacqueline Stoudenmire Mills. Mr. Mills attended schools in Sumter and graduated from Edmunds High School in 1956. Like father, like son, Johnny went to Clemson earning a degree in electrical engineering. After meeting work experience requirements, he took the exam and became a licensed electrical engineer. Johnny moved to Pittsburg, PA where he worked as an engineer for Westinghouse. After a few years, he came back to Sumter intending to stick around only for a short time. However, his father, owner of Mills Electric Company needed help. So, Johnny showed up at the business and began estimating jobs. He never left until 2003 when he retired. At that time, he was Owner and CEO of Mills Electric Company. Johnny was married to Marie Eaddy of Kingstree for 56 years less two months. Johnny is survived by his wife and son, Anderson Mills; two grandchildren, Zen, age 9, and Marco, age 7. They were the apples of his eyes. Johnny met Marie while she was a nursing student at Tuomey Hospital. One and a half years later, Johnny phoned Marie and asked her to go out on a date. That went well. For their second date, they went fishing at Santee. For the first several years of their marriage they either went fishing or to a Clemson football game for entertainment. Then they took to the tennis courts. They joined a group of tennis-playing couples and for years they went on weekend trips with them. Johnny organized a group of men who called themselves FAULT (Fellow Addicts United By Love of Tennis). Johnny was acting President for 10 years and planned bi-annual weekend trips to various SC resorts. He also played on a USTA adult league team. The team he was on almost always advanced to the state tournament. Johnny and Marie next bought leather bottom shoes and hit the dance floor shagging. They were members of the Sumter Shag Club for which Johnny served two years as President. Shagging became a big part of their social life. They usually attended SOS (Society of Shaggers) at North Myrtle Beach three times a year. Johnny and Marie were charter members of the Epicurean Dance Club where Johnny was a past President. They were also past members of the Camellia Ball. Johnny gave up tennis and started playing golf, which he did for several years and enjoyed. Due to age and physical disabilities, he gave up golf and became a devoted duplicate bridge player. In March 2023, Johnny and Marie moved into Covenant Place in an Independent Living apartment. Johnny was a relatively reserved and quiet person with a calm demeanor. Marie described him as gentle, kind and patient. It usually did not take long for a person to realize Johnny was a very intelligent person who had a jokester personality around those with whom he felt comfortable. Johnny enjoyed monthly gatherings of the Fellowship Club that met at Sublette Pond. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Johnny will be missed! The family will receive friends from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. Saturday, November 30, 2024, in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church. Memorial Services will follow at 11 A.M. in the Sanctuary with Rev. Dr. Stewart Rawson officiating. Private burial will be in the Sumter Cemetery. Members of the Fellowship Club will be Honorary Pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the Covenant Place Hourly Employee Gift Fund, 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, SC 29150. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.