Barbara was born in Tampa, Florida to the late Charles Francis Davis and Mary Lou Neal Davis. She attended the local schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Howard W. Blake High School, Tampa and Gibbs Junior College, St. Barbara Davis Mills 1940 - 2024 “A wife of noble character who can find?” ~ Barbara met and married the love of her life Buford W. Mills, Sr. in 1964 and to this union 5 children were born. “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” ~ Barbara served as secretary for Stone and Gordan Funeral Home and Eastside Funeral Home in Tampa; Teacher Aide and Substitute Teacher for Hillsborough County School System and Membership Secretary and Art Instructor for Ybor City Boys and Girls Club of Tampa. “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.” ~ Barbara stood true to her word, nurturing her family with the love and kindness she firmly believed that everyone deserved. She had an unspoken personal rule of always putting her children's needs ahead of her own. Her proudest moments were intertwined with the joys and achievements of her children and grandchildren, whom she cherished beyond measure. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~ She was a pillar of strength, laughter, and love. Her indomitable spirit defined her. A woman of unparalleled grace, kindness, and curiosity. She touched the lives of everyone she encountered. Barbara's love and keen interest in others led her to form deep connections, and she never missed an opportunity to offer positive encouragement to those she met. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” ~ Now that she has finally met the Man she has witnessed to others about for so many years and been honored to sit at the feet of the one she prayed to, not to mention beholding the beauty of the one she taught her family about, her spirit is satisfied and when the trumpet is sounded and the sky opens once and for all, the Master Himself will call her name saying, "Barbara, you’ve been faithful, you’ve been true and you’ve done all you could ever do and for your faithfulness, ITS YOUR TIME."
Barbara was proceeded in death by her loving husband Buford Mills, Sr.; daughter, Christina Mills; parents, Charles and Mary Davis; grandparents Horace and Lula Neal; great-grandchild, Avery Mingo; brothers, Charles “Chuck” Golden and James Davis; father and mother-in-law, Namon and Idell Mills; sisters-in-law Yvonne Scarlett Golden, Joyce Ann Brown, Gwendolyn Mills, Alice Mills Robusky, Shelia Mills Jones; dear friend Maxine M. Douglas, and other loving relatives and friends. Celebrating her love, life, and legacy are her loving and devoted children Buford Mills, Jr., Monica Mills (Isaac Hazelton), Valencia Mills Lopez (William Howard), and Donna Mills Douglas (Jermaine); loving grandchildren Angelique Lopez Mingo (Devante), Jennifer Lopez (Everett Ferguson) Lay’la Howard, Jermaine Douglas, Jr., Nia Douglas, Geovonnia Douglas & family, Sharmaine Douglas & family and Daja Douglas & family; adoring great-granddaughter Avaya Mingo; her grand-fur baby, Bentley Lopez; loving sister-friends Carol Cotton & family and Cynthia Flowers; In-laws whom she loved and cherished Namon Bernard Mills (Dianne), her “Tiny” Jacquelyn Mills Brown (Garry) and Louis Brown; nieces and nephews with whom she truly adored Monique Mills & family, Altelio Moragne & family, Jason Robusky, Patrick Mills, Kimberly Mills Sanders & family, Christopher Mills & family, Winston Jones (Jennifer), Phillip Guest & family; Tasha Brown & family; her “sun” Victor Mills & family, her adopted son Maurice Green & family; grandnieces and nephews Wanda Only Jones & family, Kimberly Rhoden & family, Dana Only & family, Horace Golden, Monica Delancy & family, and Courtney Doss & family; cousins Earl Ward (Charlotte) & family, Pearl Neal & family, and Lindy McCardy; her “suns” Damien Green & family, John Zonata’ & family and Roderick Floyd; her “sunshine” Tasha McMillan and family; her family in love Reverend Arthur Green, Jr. and family, Erma Jean Johnson, Gale Green, Tracy Brown, Alicia Hernandez, Anthony Coles, James Green (Joyce), Delores Ann Brown, Tampa Eagles Football Organization, Ybor City Boys & Girls Club, Eastside Funeral Home, former 15th Avenue and Lindell Avenue family, Lincoln Gardens family, Temple Terrace & East Congregations of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, Tony & Shelia Holt and family of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Holt Assessment Services, LLC and other loving family and friends.
