Rev. Dr. Mills Junius Peebles

April 27, 1933 - April 4, 2018

The Reverend Doctor Mills Junius Peebles, 84, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Carillon Assisted Living. Mills was born April 27, 1933, in Bishopville, SC and was the son of the late Lawrence M. Peebles and Hannah Fraser Mills Peebles. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Clarita Smith, of Columbia SC. They were married on June 12, 1956. A graduate of Bishopville High School, he received a B.A. degree from Presbyterian College, Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. He served in the army reserves following graduation from Presbyterian College attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was the organizing pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC and became their first installed pastor. He was pastor of Nevin Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC and was the first Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, SC. Other pastorates include First Presbyterian Church, Bennettsville, SC; Columbia Presbyterian Church, Decatur GA; Fairview Presbyterian Church, North Augusta, SC; and First Presbyterian Church, Laurel MS. In 1992, Mills was called to the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Church (USA) where he served as Regional Representative and later as Interim Director of Assistance and Retirement Housing. He retired from the Board in 2000. He served seven churches as interim pastor which were located in West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Christchurch, New Zealand. In addition to his wonderful wife, Clarita, he is survived by children, the Reverend Lawrence Mills Peebles and wife Ann of Kinards, SC; Kathryn Anne Peebles Baker and husband Ben of Granite Quarry, NC; and Samuel Mills Peebles and wife Karen of League City, Texas; seven grandchildren: Laurie Fraser Peebles, John Mills Peebles, Sarah Kathryn Baker Boger and husband Clay, Hannah Elizabeth Baker, Benjamin Mills Baker, Matthew Mills Peebles, and Samuel James Peebles; and two great-granddaughters: Olivia and Emma Boger. Memorial services will be held in Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC at 11 o'clock on Saturday, April 28, 2018. The services will be conducted by the Reverend Doctor Ellen Fowler Skidmore. Interment will be held 2:30 on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Bishopville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Bishopville, SC. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Forest Lake Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 6500 N. Trenholm Rd. Columbia, SC 29206.