Phyllis Mills

Phyllis E. Mills, 91, of Bishop’s Head passed away peacefully early Thursday morning March 4, 2021 at Talbot Hospice.

Born March 12, 1929 in Bishop’s Head, she was a daughter of the late Brice E. and Alice Murphy Johnson.

As a young child Phyllis attended St. Thomas School. She recalled that on snowy days that her father pulled her sisters to school on a sled. When she was 14, her mother said that it was time for Phyllis to go work at Crocheron Brothers Seafood Factory to crack crab claws. One evening she went out to the side of the road and waited for Wilson Pritchett, a factory employee, to ride by on his way home. When he stopped she asked if she could go to work. He simply said for her to be ready when he drove down the road in the morning. She had to save her money to buy school clothes. A taffeta dress cost 98 cents and a blouse sold for 49 cents. Her mother taught her how to pick as did some of the factory workers.

Phyllis attended Crapo High School graduating in 1946. She began working full time for Crocheron Brothers. When her children began school, she became a member and served frequently as an officer with the Parent Teacher Association at Crapo Elementary and South Dorchester High School. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Brice Johnson, and her Murphy family, by serving St. Thomas U.M. Church for many years. She taught Sunday School and served as Treasurer.

After dating for 4 years Phyllis married her high school sweetheart Donald Mills in 1948. Together they enjoyed over 72 years of marriage. As her health failed Donald took the role as caregiver and cared for her allowing them to be together at home.

Surviving besides her husband Donald is her daughter Lynne Mills and son Dan Mills, both of Cambridge; granddaughters Lauren Mills of Wingate and Leigh-Anne French (Dave) of Pottstown, Pa.; sister Flora Towers (Tom) of Arnold, Md.; great-granddaughter Emily Hock of Salisbury along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents Phyllis is predeceased by sisters Doris Todd and Loraine Aiello; granddaughter Michele Mills and nephew Darren Todd.

A walk through viewing will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. at Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home, P.A. Face masks and social distancing will be required.  Following the viewing a graveside funeral service will be held at Dorchester Memorial Park beginning at 1:30 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Michael LaClair. Interment will follow.

Serving as pallbearers will be Reggie Powley, Neal Windsor, Donnie Simmons, John Holotik, Tommy Holotik and Doug Abbott.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations in memory of Phyllis be made to either St. Thomas U,M, Church, 1817 Crocheron Rd, Bishop’s Head, Md. 21672; Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, Md. 21601-3805; Chesapeake Mission, P.O. Box 1061, Salisbury Md. 21804.

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