Obituary of Rita L Mills

Rita Lee Mills was born on April 15, 1943, in Galax, Virginia, one of eight children born to Robert Lee and Eva Brooks, who preceded her in death. In addition, three brothers Stanley Brooks, Timothy Brooks and Robert W. Brooks, as well as one sister, Rebecca Brewer, also preceded her in death. The family moved to Piscataway, NJ in 1960. She attended Piscataway High School in New Jersey and graduated in 1962. In the same year, Rita married Herman Stewart Jr. and one child, Heidi, was born to this union. Valuing the principals of hard work, Rita found gainful employment at now what is known as Lockheed Martin. Later, Rita married Robert Nathaniel Mills, who preceded her in death in 1998. Rita accepted Christ at an early age and renewed her commitment as a member of Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Burlington Township, NJ, where she served as an usher and leader of the Young People’s Group. She served faithfully until her health began to fail. Anyone who knows Rita knows she loved to travel. Most of the time when someone tried to reach her she was on the road. She would return from her trip only to respond, “Me and Bob took a ride.” The ride was all the way to Maine, making stops along the way to sightsee. One year, she went away on a cruise with two of her sisters and came back “red as a tomato” in her words. In 2017, Rita was diagnosed with dementia. Rita Mills was a very strong woman, wasn’t afraid of anything and was very strong willed. Until her health conditions made it impossible, she loved working with the young people at her church, and even became certified to take care of small babies and children as a daycare provider. On Sunday, June 6, 2021, Rita Mills was called home to glory. She leaves to rejoice in the memory of her life one daughter, Heidi Harris, son-in-law Michael Harris, grandchildren Brittany Denise Harris and Kelsee Leigh Harris, two sisters, Hilda Burt, Jackqulin Brooks-Dennis, (Cliff) one brother, Kenneth Brooks and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.