82R20030 JNC-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 1771
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of the Reverend Dr. Laymon H. Frank Mills
on March 17, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Mills was born in Troy on March 4, 1930, to
Laymon and Lucille Mills; he graduated from Wheatley High School in
1948 and worked for Jordan Ford and later Turbyville Lincoln
Mercury Motors as a porter and motorcycle driver; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, Dr. Mills was called to the ministry; he
preached his first sermon at Mt. Rose Baptist Church and three
months later was ordained at West Laurel Heights Baptist Church;
through the years, he supported a number of gospel groups,
including the Mt. Rose Gospel Singers, Kings of Harmony, P.Q.
Travelers, Highway Pilgrim Travelers, Greater Mt. Olive Spiritual
Five, and Midwest Jubilee Singers; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Mills attended Baylor Theological Seminary
and began his pastoral work with West Laurel Heights Baptist
Church; he went on to serve five other congregations before
assuming his final pastorate at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where he
led the congregation with compassion and conviction; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman further distinguished
himself as chair of the P. S. Wilkinson Institute American Baptist
General Convention of Texas, the Minister's Conference American
Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the American Baptist
General Convention Foreign Mission Board; in addition, he organized
and led the American Baptist Eastern General Association of Texas
Congress as president and served the organization as first vice
president; and
WHEREAS, The patriarch of a large family, Dr. Mills enjoyed a
rewarding relationship with his wife, Loraine, and he was devoted
to his children, Larry, Kenneth, Daniel, Gary, Stephen, and Rodney
Mills, Carolyn Rhodes, James Bryant, and Zelda Hildreth, who
preceded him in death; he also took great pride in his blended
children, James Davis, Gwendolyn Deason, Stephanie Hayes, Brenda
Archield, Darryl Rodgers, and the late Jerry Davis; and
WHEREAS, Held in the highest regard by the members of his
church and the greater community, Reverend Mills brought unwavering
faith to all his endeavors, and memories of this fine man will
continue to inspire the many people whose lives he touched during
his years on this earth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Reverend Dr.
Laymon H. Frank Mills and extend deepest sympathy to the members of
his family: to his wife, Loraine Mills; to his children, Larry Mills
and his wife, Andrea, Kenneth Mills, Carolyn Rhodes and her
husband, James, Daniel Mills and his wife, Brenda, Gary Mills and
his wife, Carrie, Stephen Mills, Rodney Mills and his wife, Angie,
and James Bryant and his wife, Ebony; to his blended children, James
Davis and his wife, Connie, Gwendolyn Deason, Stephanie Hayes,
Brenda Archield and her husband, Paul, and Darryl Rodgers and his
wife, Bonita; to his 27 grandchildren and his 21
great-grandchildren; to his sister, Anna Mae White; and to his
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the
Reverend Dr. Laymon H. Frank Mills.