Esther Franklin Mills

Esther Franklin Mills, 94, of Salem, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2013. Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Wilford H. Mills; her parents, Thomas and Esther Wimmer Mills; brothers, Harold Mills and Keith Mills; and sisters, Juanita Shilling, Iris Wimmer, and Maxine Crantz. She is survived by sons, David H. Mills of San Diego, CA and Carson Mills and wife, Kathy, of Elliston, VA; granddaughter, Trione DePinto and husband, Phil; great-granddaughters, Makayla and Marissa DePinto of Wake Forest, NC; grandson, Christopher Mills of Sheppard AFB, TX; sister, Nona Carroll (Sis) Bowles and husband, Issac; brother-in-law, Clinton Mills; sisters-in-law, Irthel Simpson and husband, Lewis, Norma Mills, Frances Mills, Carol Mills, and Edna Mills; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family wishes to thank Linda and Don Taylor of Elliston for opening their home to Esther and providing such wonderful care. A period of visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the funeral homes chapel with the Reverend Greg Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association at 4504 Starkey Road in Roanoke, VA 24018 or charity of your choice. An online guestbook is available at www.johnmoakey.com. The Mills family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.