Anita Mills

Anita Mills, age 80, of rural Portland passed away on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at IU Health West Avon.

She was born in Portland on March 7, 1943, the daughter of Carl and Mildred (Haines) Smith. She was married on Dec. 1, 1961, to John J, Mills and he passed away on Jan. 2, 2014.

Anita had worked for Marsh Supermarkets for over 20 years and had served as Jay County assessor before retiring. She attended Fellowship Baptist Church and was a 1961 Portland High School graduate.

Surviving are one daughter, Robin Mills of High Ridge, Missouri; one brother, Melvin Smith of Indianapolis; two sisters, Carol Cook of Gas City and Kay Emerick of Fort Wayne; four granddaughters; four step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband John; daughter Carla Horn; and sister Jan Byrd.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Hines presiding. Burial will follow in the Green Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Payton Manning Children’s Hospital or Jay County Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.