Rev. Jesse Roy Lee Mills

Heaven has gained a wonderful southern gentleman. Rev. Jesse Roy Lee Mills was welcomed to his eternal home, to forever be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was blessed with 90 years on Earth.

Jesse was born during the Great Depression Era to the late Rev. James and Lula (Shrum) Mills, in the backroom of a little farmhouse in Union Light, Missouri, on October 11, 1935. His parents were offered a pig to name their baby Jesse, so of course they accepted! Jesse came from a large family that included twelve brothers and sisters. Ray “Frog” (Clara) Mills, Melvin (Carolyn) Mills, and Mavis (Clyde) Revelle are still surviving. Preceding him are Julius Mills, James Mills, Metta Matthews, Hubert Mills, Ronnie Mills, Charles Mills, Melba Sharock, Helen Griffon, and Donald Mills.

He went on to serve our great country and was proud to be a United States Navy Veteran. His ship carried President Eisenhower across the Caribbean. After he got out of the military, he went on to be the owner and operator of Mills Logging Company. He started out using a team of mules.

One summer day, while out for a drive he saw a lovely, young woman riding her horse. He stopped to ask her on a date. The following year they were married. Jesse and Wilma Lee (Cureton) Mills celebrated 61 years together. They had one stillborn daughter, Susan Ann Mills, and raised three children, Crystal (Todd) Starkey, Starla (Ben) Gerdes, and Wade (Jen) Mills.

Jesse was a member of the Ever Ready Riders of Marble Hill and traveled many trails on his favorite horses “Duke” and “Jubilee.” He enjoyed deer and coyote hunting, having the house filled with the laughter of his kids and seven grandchildren, Lacey (John) Graybeal, Isis (Vlad) Gamalie, Destiny (Kyle) Hacker, Dakota (Josh) Carbaugh, Jessi Colman, Austin (Whitney) Mills, Lorene (Cody) Holst; and six great-grandchildren, Luke Graybeal, Benjamin Graybeal, Jace Graybeal, Simon Graybeal, Crew Carbaugh, and Lucy Adaline Carbaugh. Jesse was a jolly man with a great sense of humor. He spent most mornings with Wilma on the back porch swing drinking coffee.

His greatest privilege and joy was sharing God’s word. He pastored several churches in Southeast Missouri and held revivals throughout Missouri and Tennessee, helping to lead others to Christ.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 12:00 PM until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 PM at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Wilson Chapel in Fredericktown with the Rev. Kevin Mills and Rev. Ray Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Union Light Cemetery in Marquand.