Obituary - Kenneth Eugene Mills Jr.

Kenneth Mills, Jr., went home to be with his Lord on November 6, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Eugene Mills, Sr., and Gertrude Elizabeth Mills; his beloved grandparents, Richard and Effie Mills; his beloved aunt and uncle, Robert and Thelma Chappell;and his cousin Dennis. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of fifty one years, Linda; his two daughters, Wendy (William) and Kelly (John); his five grandchildren, Luke, Michaela, Julia, Elizabeth, and Rachel; his brothers, James and Keith (Allison); his sister Karen (Brent); and three uncles and many cousins.

Kenny, as everyone knew him, grew up on his grandfather’s poultry farm in Henrico County. He attended J.R. Tucker High School from seventh grade to the twelfth grade. After graduating from, what was then, Piedmont Bible College with a degree in Biblical education, he taught and coached basketball at a private school in Winston-Salem, N.C. Born to coach, Kenny always had impressive records, and his boys’ and girls’ teams loved him! After seven years in North Carolina, he and Linda moved back to Richmond, and he took a job with Vulcan Materials, where he worked in the Rockville office until he retired in 2013.

Kenny was a very friendly person and could strike up a conversation and make friends with anyone. He loved God, his family, and Virginia Tech football! He was a member of Goodwill Baptist Church for fifty years, a member of Grove Avenue Baptist Church for twenty years, and until his death a member of Berea Baptist Church. Over the years he served in many capacities: deacon, youth leader, building committee member, children’s church director, greeter, and small group teacher; in his later years he was a Gideon. (Isaiah 55:8,9) Kenny was always ready to spend time with his family: at his favorite vacation spot, Myrtle Beach, at the family’s house on the bay, or just eating at local restaurants. His funny sayings, ball throwing, Oldies tunes, and crazy nicknames will be sorely missed! Not only for over twenty five years did he enjoy attending every home game in Lane Stadium with Linda and the family, but he also loved traveling to away games with his Tech buddy, Walter. In Kenny’s mind it just wasn’t enough to attend a game; he analyzed every play and every call, and he knew the stats on every player. His favorite advice to the Hokies was “Block”!

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, November 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home - Parham in Richmond. A celebration of Kenny’s life will be held on Saturday, November 16, at 11a.m. at Woody Funeral Home - Parham. Interment will follow at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Avenue in Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kenny’s memory may be sent to Berea Baptist Church,15475 Ashland Road, Rockville, Va, 23146, or the Gideons International, P.O. Box 28095, Henrico, Va., 23228. Online condolences and fond memories of Kenny may be offered to the family on the Woody Funeral Home - Parham website.