Obituary of Simon Coy Mills Jr.

Simon Coy Mills, Jr. 72, of Cropwell, AL, passed away on December 27, 2023 at his home after fighting his battle with leukemia. He was born on April 6, 1951, in Moundville, AL to the late Simon Coy Mills, Sr. and Margaret Pearl Abernathy Mills. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, William Ford Wiggins and Elizabeth “Lib” Sharp Wiggins and brother, Robert Glenn Mills. Coy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pam Wiggins Mills and their children, Jeremy Ford Mills (Katie) of Franklin, NC and Genta Mills Stanfield (Scott) of Auburn, AL, and his golden doodle, Reggie. He is also survived by his sister, Margie Mills Mitchell; sister-in-law, Patricia Wiggins Crawford (Wayne); nieces, Melena Crawford Lewis (Stan), Julie Crawford Price, Melinda Mitchell Dodd (Alan), Rebecca Mitchell, Elizabeth Mitchell Mitchum (Donnie Barksdale); nephew, John Mitchell, and several great nieces and nephews. Coy grew up in Moundville, AL and graduated from Hale County High School in 1969. He had a 30 year career in public education as both a teacher and administrator. He worked with Hale County Schools, Arab City Schools, Eufaula City Schools, Talladega County Schools, and Coweta County, GA Schools. After retiring, Coy enjoyed a second career with Lathan Associates Architects as their Chief Field Inspector. Coy grew up in the Methodist church in Moundville, AL and continued to have a strong Christian faith throughout his life. He was a lifelong Alabama fan, an avid turkey hunter, and a member of the Talladega Superspeedway High-Banks Fire Safety Team. Coy’s wish was to be cremated and his life celebrated with family and friends. The Celebration of Life event will be held at 1:00 pm, January 6, 2024, at The Gold Room, located inside The Grill at Countryside Farm, 230 Hamby Road, Cropwell, AL 35054. Friends and family are invited to come and share their best Coy Mills stories. At Coy’s request, please dress in casual clothing. In lieu of flowers, his request was for memorials to be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, or Rainbow Omega, Inc. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and Reggie. Online condolences may be made at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is assisting his family