Dorothy Mae Mills

Dorothy Mae Mills was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 23, 1923 and passed into life with the Lord, May 28, 2016. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond A. Mills, Sr., her mother, Olla Mae Ballard, her father, Edwin Shirey, her step father, Clarence E. Ballard, Sr., and her brother, Alfred E. Shirey. She is survived by her son, Raymond A. Mills, Jr. (Pam), brother, C.E. Ballard, Jr., M.D., (Charlotte), granddaughter, Julia Kelle Mills, sister in law, Norma Mills Gibson and a host of nieces and nephews. Dorothy was a devout Christian, of Nazarene faith and a lifelong member of the First Church of the Nazarene. She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1940, now known as Little Rock Central High School. Dorothy was also a member of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary. She began her cosmetology career immediately upon graduating and unbeknownst to many, secretly married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Mills, the night of graduation. Dorothy Mae, as many called her, loved to cook, bake and entertain at her home. She continued to do so until her health prevented it. She had an enormous recipe collection, which she shared with many family members and friends, as she could cook without them, as did her mother. Dorothy Mae had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir, as well as on the radio with her husband. Singing was a passion that she shared with family members and on holidays after a meal was finished, it was a casual tradition to gather around the piano that her sister in law, Norma, could play beautifully, and the violin, which was played by Buster Crawford. Dorothy Mae owned and operated her salon, called Dorothy's Magic Mirror from 1970 to 2009. She actually gave her first permanent at age 12. Her happiest place on her earth was that shop. She had many people work with her over the span of thirty nine years. She loved getting up early and being there all day long. She considered "the girls" she worked with (Alice Rhoden, Charla Golding, Linda Pedigo & Sandra Roy), her family and her customers, her friends. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of tears and many, many stories told at 7801 Cantrell. Her family was her universe, her entire world, as she would say. She adored her parents, her step father, Pa Ballard, her brothers, C.E. and Al (June Bug) and of course, Raymond, her husband, but the light of her life was her only child, Ray and his only child, Kelle. She was devoted to their happiness and well-being. There wasn't anything in the world that she loved more or anywhere she would rather be than with them. She was fierce in her love for them as for life. She loved life and everyone that was in her life. Dorothy was extremely loyal and if you were lucky enough to be her family member or friend, she would go above and beyond to do all that she could to support you. She was one of a kind and will be missed every day. The family would like to thank the staff at The Highlands of Woodland Hills Nursing and Rehab, the loving staff at Arkansas Hospice that stayed by her bedside on her final day and the Pastoral Staff of the First Church of the Nazarene. There will be a graveside service Friday, June 3 at 2:00pm, at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 North in Alexander, Arkansas. The service will be officiated by Dr. Jim Daniel and Pastor Bobby Howard of The First Church of The Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 or The First Church of the Nazarene, 1200 N. Mississippi St., Little Rock, Ark. 72207 or The Salvation Army, 1111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72201 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.