Gloria Helen Mills was born to Annie Jewel Gardner Graham and Robert Henry Graham on August 19, 1945, in Decatur, MS. Gloria Helen Mills, at the age of 78, peacefully passed away in the presence of her son at Gulfport Memorial Hospital on January 17, 2024.

Gloria gained her love for cooking in the Mississippi country from her grandmother, Annie Parker. Gloria spent a significant portion of her childhood growing up in the country with her grandmother riding a horse named Trigger. She was a graduate of Thirty-Third Avenue High School in Gulfport, MS, where she excelled academically and graduated Valedictorian of the entire school. Gloria eventually left MS to join her oldest sister Lilly Maude in New York. Gloria picked up several skills working in New York as a seamstress and dry cleaner. There she became a devout fan of the legendary singer Sam Cooke and waited hours in the snow to hear him sing. Gloria later relocated to California where she began her work as a United States Federal Postal Employee. She also owned, operated, and successfully ran a catering business while working full time. She cooked the Gumbo that we all came to love and never get enough of. Gloria spent the majority of her career working for the Postal Service, where she eventually retired as a Postal Supervisor.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; Annie Jewel Gardner Graham and Robert Henry Graham; her maternal grandparents, Laura Alexander and Timothy Anderson Gardner; her paternal grandparents, Annie R. Graham(Parker) and Louis Graham; her sisters, Gennie Faye, Louise, Rubbie Lois, Rubbie Nell, Alice Faye Smith, Annie Maude Durr, Lillie Maude Smiley; her grandson Robert Mayo; and her loyal, devoted and beloved husband of 28 years, Tyre B. Mills Jr.

Gloria leaves behind a legacy of love. She is survived by her sons, Sidney H. Smith III (Judy) and David Louis Wilson; her sibling, Mary Pickens; step-children, Yolanda Mayo, Patricia Sylvester (Danny), Tyra Wright (Jeffrey), and Tyre Mills III; Tyrone Mills and Tysha Taylor, her eight cherished grandchildren, Jordan Lion (Mendelyn), and Danny Jr., Danita Sylvester, Jeffrey and Gina Wright, Tyre IV, Tyrey and Tyren; great-grand- children, Yaminah Mayo, Kursi (Mayo) Muhammad, and Lyric Sylvester; devoted nieces/God-daughters, Carolyn Marie Lewis (Earl), Loretta Elaine Jones (Leonard) Allison (Munchy) Harvey, (Clarence); devoted nephews, Channin Torry Harvey, & Johnathan Sid Smith, Robert Anderson Graham; loving God-son/grandson/and great nephew Abram Johnathan (AJ) Lewis; sister-in-law Sylvia Joyce Graham and extended family including beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gloria Helen Mills will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, friend, and of course cook. She loved cooking and baking for her family and friends, Gumbo, Macaroni and Cheese, with Pound Cake. Gloria was a passionate advocate for higher education and for living a life that was pleasing and loving through God and Jesus Christ. She was an exceptional matriarch and was dedicated to helping and supporting her family. Her grace, intellect, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew her.