Camilla Mims

Camilla Mims, age 71, passed away on December 25, 2018 at home, following a long and gallant fight against cancer. Camilla was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland on January 13, 1947 to the late Lt. Col. Richard B. and Tennie Hewitt Mims. During her childhood, she lived with her family in Japan, Germany and France where her dad was stationed in the Army.  Returning to Georgia, she graduated from College Park High School in 1965 and from The Woman’s College of Georgia in Milledgeville in 1969 with a BS Degree in Health and Physical Education. She taught at Westwood High School in Fulton County, GA, after which she received her Master’s Degree from the University of GA in Athens in 1975. She taught Health and PE at Cedar Shoals High School and Gaines Elementary, where she was chosen “Teacher of the Year.” She retired in 2001 from the Clarke County School District.

Camilla spent many summers working for Golden Eagle where she trained cheerleading instructors. She was the cheerleading coach at Westwood High and Cedar Shoals High.  At Westwood, she was the sponsor for the student council.

She was a volunteer for Special Olympics at the local, state and national levels, and at the international level in Japan and Panama, where she was the speech coach for an International Global Messenger.

Camilla was an Elder in the Oconee Presbyterian Church in Athens, GA and on the board of trustees for Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, South Carolina.

Camilla’s retirement years were filled with the things she enjoyed most: spending time with her family and many friends, researching her genealogy and family history, traveling locally and abroad, and supporting the Georgia Bulldogs.

In addition to her parents, Camilla was preceded in death by her brother, Frank Hewitt Mims.  She is survived by her niece, Jennifer Mims (Deuce) Roark of Gainesville, GA and nephew, Frank Edward Mims of Atlanta, GA; great-nephew, JD Roark and great-nieces, Elise and Sarah Roark of Gainesville; special family member, Kathy Smith of Athens, GA; cousins, Rosemary Hunter Klein of Chapmansboro, TN and Chloe Hewitt Otto of Nashville, TN, and a host of beloved and devoted friends.

A Celebration of Camilla’s life will be held on Saturday, December 29, 11:00 a.m., at Oconee Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Sue Jacobson and Rev. Joel Tolbert officiating.  A reception will follow the service when family and close friends will receive condolences.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thornwell Home for Children, 302 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 and Clarke Co. Special Olympics, c/o Julie Evans, 240 Shadow Moss, Athens, GA 30606.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West is in charge of arrangements.