01/10/2025
Michael David Mills, 77 of Martinsville, entered into his much-anticipated Heavenly home on January 6, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. Mike was an only child born to Milton “Erette” Mills and Dorothy Layton Mills in Nacogdoches on September 4, 1947.
Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Spring Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Don Chumley and Larry Poe officiating. Interment will follow at Martinsville Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Laird Funeral Home.
Mike attended Martinsville school grades 1-10 then transferred to Nacogdoches High School graduating in 1965. He married his childhood sweetheart on June 25, 1966. They celebrated their 58th year of marriage last June.
Mike was a faithful member of Spring Hill Baptist Church where he also served as a deacon. He worked at TP&L, Nibco and Lone Star Feed. During that time, he took 1 semester of forestry at SFA. Around 1972 he began marking timber for LA Pacific then for Champion International, later Georgia Pacific, where he became logging superintendent. In 1980 he, Marilyn and Stacy moved into their new home at Rogers Harbor on Toledo Bend. At this time Georgia Pacific closed their mill in Logansport offering him a job in Crossett, Arkansas. He refused to go. He started guiding at Huxley Bay Marina part time and working as a sales representative for HC Hubbard Co. selling sporting goods. He later helped form a lure company selling fishing baits while still guiding at the marina.
Mike always saw a glass as half full. He wasn’t afraid to jump headfirst into something he believed in, thus starting up a rep group - Southwest Outdoor Sales. He had several good reps working for him and sold optics, hunting supplies, etc. in 4 states – Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. During this time, he was honored to have earned top salesman of the year for Swarovski Optics. After a couple years he closed that rep group and formed Southwest Tackle Sales, selling fishing tackle, mainly Shimano. His group earned the title of top sales for the 4-state region several times. He was fortune to travel to Japan, Hawaii and all over the United States.
After a couple years he decided it was time to shut this company down and retire. He sold Southwest Tackle Sales in 2008. He and Marilyn moved back to Martinsville in 2002 and raised a few cattle until he had a vision to start a big garden, Glory Land Farm, planting vegetables and advertising for people to come pick them for free. After a couple years he decided it was time to rest. He started writing devotionals and posting on social media reaching around the world. With help – he and others provided funds to help people in Africa buy bibles to put in schools in Tanzania – later he and Marilyn with help of a few churches were able to provide monetary funds to another African country to feed poor children.
Mike enjoyed his time shooting at his range, loved to reload his own bullets and make his own fishing bait. He loved to hunt, fish and visit with friends. Mike loved his family. His one wish was that everyone believes and trusts in the Lord, obey His commandments and be saved to live with the Lord forever. His favorite verse was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Mike is survived by:
Wife, Marilyn Fuller Mills
Daughter, Stacy McShane
Grandchildren:
Cecil McSwain and wife Haley
Jessica Smith and husband Charlie
Mandi Fountain and husband Ben
Macie Bass and husband Morgan
Jennifer Phillips
Tuff McShane
10 great-grandchildren: Brent, Bryce and BrayLee Smith, Kruse, Ryder, Sealy and JG Fountain, Paisley McShane, Layne Green, Ellie Bass, and Tucker McSwain
Aunt, Billye Morrow of Ft. Worth
Precious fur kids that he loved, Ricky – his “favorite Boy” and Gypsy whom he called “Sweetie Pie”
Long-time friend and helper, Odis Sparks, who helped with the gardening and yard work
Also many wonderful friends.
The family would like to thank Amy Allen and Meeka with Harbor Hospice for their compassion and loving care in his final days.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Erette Mills and Dorothy Layton Mills Martin and his stepdad Rex Martin.
Serving as pallbearers will be Cecil McSwain, Tuff McShane, Ben Fountain, Charlie Smith, Jr., Brent Smith, and Morgan Bass. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick Parker, Kerry Lucas, Tom Randall, Gene Phillips, Sonny McShane, Brian Justice, Rocky Justice, Ron Bauch, Possum Crawford, Greg (Fig) Newton, Larry Matthews, and Rusty Poe.
In Lieu of flowers the family asks any memorial donations to be made to Nacogdoches Animal Shelter at 3211 SW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches Texas 75964, Nacogdoches Foster Rescue, Wounded Warrior Project, or your favorite charity.
