Grandpappy Mills

APRIL 7, 1920- JANUARY 25th, 2010

Eternal Companion

Hero

Father (that's my mom in the helmet)

Best Grandpappy

My sweet Grandpa Mills' beautiful viewing and funeral were held this week. It's been a time of many emotions: love, comfort, gratitude, heart ache, mourning, laughter, etc...
Here are some pictures of both the viewing and the funeral. There are a lot of pictures, but I just had to post them to capture the beautiful moments.

Here is a display table in recognition of my Grandpappy. He was an INCREDIBLE athlete.

He was a WWII veteran and served so honorably. I will hold his many war stories close to my heart. What a hero!

I felt pretty strong during the viewing. That was until the crowds starting dying down and I could here my sweet Grandpa's music playing over the speakers and seeing his brother, my great uncle, Bill, show up from California. It was a miracle he was able to make it, then I lost it.

One of the display tables had a book I made for my Grandparents for their 68th wedding anniversary last year.

My sisters and I with our Grandpappy.

Here is my brother Mike and my Dad with my great Uncle Bill (Grandpa's brother). He is the last one of the siblings still here. It was a very emotional time.

Grandma Mills was SO thrilled to see him, as were all of us.

Here we all are before the family prayer and funeral services. What a beautiful and amazing day. The great grand children were so reverent. The spirit was so strong.

Here is Emma explaining to me what she'd been learning all week about where Grandpa Mills is now. She said,"Grandpa Mills sleeping. Not sick, so happy. With Jesus in heaven."

My sweet Grandma. I can only imagine how she must have been feeling.

The funeral services were amazing. Not one dry eye in the family while we ALL sang some of my Grandpa's favorite songs, " You are my Sunshine" and "Till we meet again"

Everyone in reverence watching the pall bearers put Grandpappy in the vehicle.

Emma was so sweet and could feel the reverence along with her cousins. Here she is holding her cousin Coleman's hand as she watches.

The family at the Provo Cemetery. Here's my sweet niece and nephews, Lucy, Nick, and Ben.

The handsome pall bearers

Military tribute

My brother Greg had the privilege to play taps at the cemetery. That was emotional not only to us listening but also to him. He said it was a hard one to get through.

My Aunt Charlene, Uncle Scott, Grandma, Mom, and Uncle LeRoy.

A few of my nieces were getting pretty emotional. It was so sweet.

My whole side of the family. It was so amazing being all together. I didn't want it to end.

Emma wanted to sit by Grandpa while people were leaving.

After the services we had a wonderful luncheon and celebration of Grandpa's music. Uncle Scott played some of Grandpa's music while we all sang and danced the day away. Uncle Bill and Grandma had a grand ole' time.

Emma having fun with her cousins. Here she is with Matthew.

My handsome husband and nephews. :)

This was SO awesome. Growing up, my brothers Greg and Mike always sang 'Hello my baby' and would do a little dance while Grandpa played the piano. Well, they did it for all of us and it was the NEATEST thing. No doubt Grandpa was watching and smiling. It brought tears to our eyes.

My sister Kim and cousin Amy Jo doing the Charleston dance while Uncle Scott played "Goochy goo"

Some of my siblings and me singin' the ole' tunes like 'Old Black Joe'

This was a day that will be remembered and cherished forever. It was a day of celebration of my Grandpa's life. It strengthened my testimony even more of the gospel principle of how real and true eternal families are. I am so grateful for the eternal perspective. It has been hard this week as it sinks in more that my Grandpappy has departed from us but we will see him again. He has left behind an amazing legacy. I get excited talking about him to Emma and love that she recognizes his music right away every time I play his cd.
I love you Grandpa. Thank you for all the amazing memories.