Dr. Hugh Milton Mills Jr

Dr. Hugh M. Mills, Jr., age 93, of Gainesville, quietly passed from this earth into the presence of the Lord and was reunited with all those loved ones going before who had died in Christ. Dr. Mills was a long-time Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and choir member at Blackshear Place Baptist Church. He was sent by the church to lead in establishing West Hall Baptist Church where he was honored as a lifetime Deacon. He will always be remembered as the Christian gentleman that he was, imitating his Lord through a lifetime of humility.
Dr. Mills was a principal/coach in the Polk County School System, a guidance counselor and professor at the University of Georgia (in the College of Education), and interim president of Brenau College (Brenau University). However, he is best known as the founding president of Gainesville Junior College (now UNG, Gainesville), where he faithfully served nineteen of his forty year public school career.
He was preceded in death by Evelyn Heath Mills, faithful wife of 50 years, the love of his life and mother of his three children; and an older brother, Emmett Mills as well as his parents Hugh M. Mills, Sr. and Johnnie West Mills, in Albany. He was the second of four children.
Dr. Mills is survived by sons and daughters-in- law, Milton and Helen Mills, Athens, Ralph and Beverly Mills, Gainesville; daughter and son-in- law, Becky and Scotty Lovett, Cuthbert; grandchildren, West and Kimberly Mills, Gainesville, Katie Mills and Mario Martin, Gainesville, Capt. Heath Mills, Parris Island; special great grandchildren, Addy Mills and Tennyson Martin, both of Gainesville; brother, John Mills, Alexandria, VA; sister, Frances Syptak, Hickory, NC; and a host of nephews and nieces.
Dr. Mills attended North Georgia College on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1943, where he immediately joined the Army Air Corps. After a medical discharge, he enrolled in the University of Georgia where he graduated with several degrees and culminating with a doctorate in education, while simultaneously teaching and coaching in public schools and institutions.
In 1965, the Board of Regents charged Dr. Mills with building and initiating operation for one of the junior colleges which were to be developed across the state of Georgia. And thus, Gainesville Junior College, often referenced as "the crown jewel of the junior college system", was born. And to thousands of lives touched by the development of this community school, students and faculty alike, Dr. Hugh Mills, Jr., will ever be synonymous with their memories of "The Junior College".
In appreciation of his years of service, the physical education complex at the school was named in his honor, where also hangs the University of North Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame plaque presented to him in February, 2016 in recognition of his athletic contributions to the school. From his playing days at NGC to his support of competitive athletics as president, Dr. Mills' memory lives on at the school which was his passion and became his professional identity.
Hugh Mills, Jr. faithfully loved his Evelyn and the children they raised together, leaving a legacy for each of them to emulate. He loved his church, neighbors, and his community. But to them who knew their grandparents as "Granny" and "Granddaddy", belongs a special place reserved now in heaven, where they all await with patience the day of reunion.
Anyone wishing to attend a reception on Sunday, August 7 in celebration of the life of Hugh Mills, Jr., should gather, 4:00-5:30 pm, at the University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus, in the Robinson Ballroom of the Student Center. A private family burial service will be held Sunday, August 7, 2:00 pm, in the Mills Family Cemetery, Webb Girth Road, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations in memory of Dr. Mills can do so through the Hugh Mills Scholarship Fund, University of North Georgia, P. O. Box 1599, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533.