John Henry Mills, Jr.

John Henry Mills, Jr., 73 was born May 22, 1950, in Fletcher, NC, to the late John H. Mills Sr. and the late Elizabeth Copeland Mills. “Peanut," as he was affectionally known by his family and friends, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 1, 2023. He was also preceded in death by brother Larry Mills, sister Elizabeth Dunbar, daughter Kimberly B. Mills, son John B. Mills, and grandsons Teylyn McAlpin, John Henry McAlpin, Jr., and Nyreus McAlpin.

As a child, he attended Nineth Avenue School in Hendersonville, NC. He later moved to Cleveland, OH, for a brief time before returning to his native hometown of Brickton, and then moving to Asheville where he lived out the remainder of his life. He was a member of WNC Baptist Fellowship Church in Asheville, NC where the Rev. L.C. Ray was his Pastor.

Peanut loved fishing, gardening, racing cars, playing in bands, and playing the bongos. He also loved babysitting his nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish his memories are sons John H. McAlpin, Jr., of Asheville, Joseph McAlpin and Javaugh McAlpin both of Cleveland, OH, and Gregory Harper (Susie) of Stone Mountain, GA, daughters Melissa Brewton (Kevin) of Fletcher, and Kimilah McAlpin of Cleveland, OH, sisters Lillie Sloan (Bobby) of Asheville, and Dail Mills of Arden, brothers Rickie Mills of Arden, Rufus Mills of Mills River, and Ronnie Mills (Vonda) of Stone Mountain, GA, along with 22 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.  Uncle Nut was truly loved and will be missed by all of us!

A Funeral Service to honor the life of John will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at St. John Baptist Church (14 Legend Dr., Arden) at 12pm. He will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Sunset Cemetary. Viewing will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 12pm to 7pm at Avery's Memorial Chapel. The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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