First Lady Josie Ludell Mills

First Lady Josie Ludell Mills of Tampa, FL passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3325 E. Emma Street, Tampa, FL 33610 with Rev. Edward Miller, Officiating.

First Lady Josie Ludell Mills was born to the late Willis and Josie Ludell Jackson on November 2, 1947, in Melbourne, Florida. She grew up in Gordon, Alabama where she attended school. After marrying at the tender age of 18 years old she completed her studies and graduated from Middleton High School in Tampa, Florida. First Lady Mills was a longtime resident of Tampa, Florida until she relocated to Naples, Florida with her late husband Reverend Lonnie E. Mills as lead Pastor and her being the mother of Macedonia M.B. Church where she served diligently and honorably alongside her husband during his ministerial journey.  For several years, Ms. Mills was employed as a Grocer at Winn-Dixie Supermarket within the meat division and later retired with Lykes Brothers Meat Distribution Company in Plant City, Florida. Mrs. Mills was the second oldest of ten children and was honorably named after her mother.

She is preceded in death by: her husband of 57 years Rev. Lonnie Elgin Mills; and both parents, Mr. Willis and Josie Ludell Jackson, of Alabama.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Mellita "Maranda" Mills, Danita L. Mills, and Eliza Mills; Sons, Lonnie S. Mills, Esq. Patrick Mills, Clarence and Terrance Mills, John Mills, Jerry Robinson-Mills (Chelsea), and Edward Bradwell; Grandchildren, Lonell, Destanee, Daija, Dalani, Dior, Jasmine, Za'riyah, Josiah, Asher, and Auva; Siblings, Nora Lee Arnold, Marie Snelling, Lola Calhoun (David), Clytie Mae Baldwin (Freddie), Willis Wesley Jackson a.k.a "Jr." (Ann), Helen Trawick, James Alexander Jackson (Zella), Gloria Jean Harreston, and Dorothy Jean Brown (Howard); and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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