Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
On Friday, April 29, local hero Earl Mills celebrated his 101st birthday at Cheek-&-Scott Pharmacy in Live Oak. At the event, Mills was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Suwannee County Board of Commissioners for his dedication and service to America. Commissioners Clyde Fleming and Len Stapleton attended the event. Commissioner Stapleton told Mills, “I just want to tell you how much we appreciate your service to this country and for you being in this county. You're an inspiration to myself and generations. Your sacrifice has allowed us to have the country that we have today. I'm proud of that.”
Mills was presented one gift at the celebration, a knitted American flag lap blanket. Also at the celebration was Sheriff Sam St. John, who told Mills, “It is an honor to be here and in your presence. We appreciate your service; we appreciate you being here. It is such an honor to be here with you.”
Mills's son-in-law, Wally Weaver, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, said Mills is “One of the most Godly men I have ever known. Throughout our lifetime, whenever we needed somebody to pray for us, for God to do something, we turned to Earl. He's been our support. He's been our friend. He's been my father-in-law. He's been everything that he could be to us throughout all the years and gave me the greatest gift that he ever could have given me, his daughter and actually allowed me to marry her.”
Mills was asked who he credits his 101 years of life to. He responded by saying, “Being old is not an easy place to be. I’m thankful I was able to go to World War II and get back home. I think about my friends who will never get to go home... I feel like God had let me get through the war safely.” Another 101-year-old Veteran, Clarence Miller, sat with Mills. Commissioner Fleming also wished Mills a happy birthday.
Over 78-years-ago, Mills parachuted from a US Army plane over Normandy, part of a wave of Allied soldiers determined to liberate the country and the rest of Europe from the threat of the Nazi regime. He joined the Air Force after leaving the Army, retiring in 1961.When the fighting was over, he began an 18-year-long career as a mail carrier and married Myrtle Hardee, whom he met in a Live Oak donut shop. They were married for 68 years until her death in 2016. "I’m happy now, because we're both Christians and, even though Myrtle is not with me, according to God’s words, I will be with her again in Heaven. That’s comforting to me. I know she’s in a better place than I am. I will be so happy to see her again.”