Billie Mills

Billie Jane Rodgers Mills, of Kirkwood, Missouri, formerly of Perryville, Missouri, was born December 27, 1930 in Blytheville, AR to W.J. and Bonnie Shepherd Rodgers and entered into rest from natural causes Saturday, August 8, 2020 at her home in Kirkwood, Missouri at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 4 days. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Ann Mills and Richard Brumpton; two grandsons, Joseph Thomas and David Thomas and his wife, Frederika Tevebring; and one great granddaughter, Emma Lucille Grace Thomas. She is preceded in death by her parents, W.J. and Bonnie Shepherd Rodgers; a brother, Guy Laverne Rodgers; and one great granddaughter, Alva Billie Thomas. Billie graduated from Blytheville High School in 1948 and then Ole Miss with a master’s degree in music. She taught music at various schools until 1957, when she moved to and started teaching vocal music in Perryville, MO at the local elementary school. She then obtained a master’s degree in history from Southeast Missouri State in 1974 and started teaching high school history in Perryville until her retirement from teaching. She then had a second career as a librarian at Riverside Regional Library in Perryville and taught computer classes for seniors there. She was instrumental in starting the Perry County Historical Society and contributed research to them until shortly before her death. She moved to Kirkwood with Bonnie in 2007 and taught Sunday School at the church she loved until incapacitated by illness. She touched countless lives through her teaching and community service and was respected and loved by many people. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Geyer Road Baptist Church, 504 S. Geyer Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122. There will be a visitation period after the service. Memorial donations may be made to Perry County Historical Society, P.O. Box 97, Perryville, MO 63775. Cards and correspondence may be sent to Bonnie at 971 Simmons Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122. Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlcremate.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Billie Jane Rodgers Mills please visit our Sympathy Store.

Billie Mills

December 27, 1930 - August 8, 2020