Mr. John Burroughs Mills, 78 of Gadsden, died Wednesday, November 8th, 2017. His funeral will be 2 P.M. Saturday, at the Church at Wills Creek with Rev. Jason Ellen officiating. Graveside services will follow in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday at the church, 12 to 2 P.M.

John was a native of Mobile, Alabama and was a 1957 graduate of Murphy High School. He went on to pursue a Masters Degree from Central Michigan and became a practicing physical therapist. He and his wife, Ruth, whom he met in physical therapy school, were two of the first licensed physical therapists in the state of Alabama. John practiced physical therapy for 55 years.
He served his country as a U.S. Marine. He and Ruth were the parents of six children and the foster parents of seven other children. He was passionate about his family and passionate about Jesus. He and his family served God and their community through White's Chapel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Ruth Mills.

Survivors include wife, of 14 years, Carolyn Steifel Mills and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John Mills (Carol), Mark Mills (Brandy), Matthew Mills (Loey), Jennifer East (Duane), Stephanie Clevenger (Jason), Elizabeth Mills, Tim Howle (Kathy), and Todd Howle (Nancy). He was the proud grandfather of 24 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be Gene Cox, Sam Evetts, Bob Cline, Ken Mintz, Terry White, Dr. Wayne Kelly, Dwight Gary, Jerry Tuck and the Deacons from Wills Creek.

Memorial may be made to Coosa Christian School. Flowers will also be accepted. Special thanks to Dr. Judith Quilon and Neuro Oncology UAB, Drs. Nabors and Fiveash.