Ella Doris Davis Mills

September 13, 2017

Ella Doris Davis Mills, 91, of Sandy Springs passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at home. Doris, “Dot,” was born in 1926, in Decatur County, Georgia to Leah Brock Davis and Colton Clay Davis. Doris left South Georgia when she was 17 and moved to Atlanta to attend Business College. In 1945 she met Wesley Ryland Mills, Jr. and after a courtship that established legendary family stories, Doris and Wesley married November 20, 1948. Doris was known for her outstanding cooking, gracious hospitality, and extensive knowledge of plants and birds. Doris and Wesley traveled extensively through Europe and in South America and they shared many trips with their children and grandchildren. She relished the second home they built on the Flint River in Bainbridge, Ga., where she hosted many family gatherings. She also loved her home with its cascading natural waterfall in Sandy Springs on the Chattahoochee River. Doris was preceded in death by her son Wesley Ryland Mills, III. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Wesley R. Mills, Jr; her three daughters, Stephanie Mills, Karen Lanning (Ron), and Melanie Abrams (Wendell); her daughter-in-law Debbie Mills, four grandchildren, Dr. Jessica Rome (Judah), Dr. Katie Lanning (Cooper Hammarlund), Wesley R. Mills IV, and Leah Mills; and two great grandchildren, Eli Rome and Jonathan Rome. Doris is also survived by her brother Bobby Davis (Gladys), numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and a vast extended family whom she loved dearly and who loved her humor, kindness, and genuine Southern graciousness. Visitation was Saturday, September 16^th from 4 until 6 p.m. at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel at 173 Allen Rd in Sandy Springs. Services were held Sunday, September 17^th at 2 p.m. at the same location. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers in Doris’ memory to The Atlanta Botanical Gardens or to Trees Atlanta.