Rev. Grady Watson Mills II

The Reverend Grady Watson Mills II of Savannah, Georgia passed away on March 28, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

He was born in Millen, Georgia on June 17, 1943, to Ellis Willard Mills SR. and Myrtle Jenkins Mills. Raised in Waynesboro Georgia, he graduated from Waynesboro High school in 1961.

While in high school Grady was the drum major for the marching band. With such creativity and talent, he excelled at twirling the fire Baton enjoyed dancing and parades.

After high school, Grady received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Valdosta State University. He then received his Masters of Christian Education from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta he served as youth pastor at Sardis United Methodist Church. It was here he met his bride to be, Brenda Gail Cook of Atlanta. The two wed on August 23, 1968. He spent the following three years as a Lieutenant in Infantry, including a year in Vietnam with the United States Army.

Grady served full time ministry for 22 years in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church: Perry United Methodist, Vineville United Methodist, and White Bluff United Methodist. He spent five years in the Florida Conference serving First United Methodist Church Winter Park, and 7.5 years in the South Carolina Conference serving St. Paul United Methodist Church, Florence.

During his time in ministry, he served as Minister of Christian Education, serving both children and adults.  While at Vineville UMC he developed a senior adult program called, “The Grady Bunch”. While A senior program was also begun at Winter Park.  One of his favorite foreign missions was in Zimbabwe.

Someone once said of Grady, “what he does and what he contributes to a church doesn’t quite fit into any neat category. Grady is sort of a presence, a catalyst, a center. An atmosphere in which creativity occurs, not always with measured organization, but invariably with excitement.”

Grady leaves behind his wife Brenda; two children, Jennifer Elizabeth-Mills Godwin (Bobby) of Brooklet and Christopher Lyle Mills (Allison) of Savannah; four grandchildren, Chelsea Renee’ Godwin and Brandon Wesley Godwin of Brooklet, Christian Aiden Mills and Cameron Brayden Mills of Savannah; a brother, Ellis Mills (Polly) of Savannah, and sister Cynthia Mills Roberts (Woody) of Barnesville.  Also 12 nieces and nephews.

The passing of Reverend Grady W. Mills II from this life is felt by the many whose lives he touched in meaningful ways. His physical presence will be deeply missed.

The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 5, 2022, at Asbury Memorial Church – 1008 East Henry Street.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 5, 2022, at Asbury Memorial Church conducted by the Reverend William G. Hester. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Asbury Memorial Church – 1008 East Henry Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401-7128, The American Cancer Society – Suite 102, 4849 Paulsen Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405-4424, and The Savannah Theatre’s Tickets for Troops – 222 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.