Mrs. Phoebe Mae Mills, of Harrisburg, departed this life on Saturday morning, March 1, 2025, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, at the age of 97.

She was born September 3, 1927 in Payette, Idaho, the daughter of the late John Orr and Minnie Hyatt Orr.

Phoebe graduated high school in Dallas, Oregon in 1945 and that same year married Udell Mills, a soldier who was stationed at Camp Adair in Dallas, Oregon. They were married in Salem, Oregon and enjoyed a wonderful 55 years together before his death in 2000.

One of Phoebe's greatest joys was caring for children. Mrs. Phoebe, as she was so lovingly referred to, worked at playschool for 24 years and it was there that everyone became so well acquainted with her. Every child that entered those doors was loved in a special way by Mrs. Phoebe.  She took a special interest in every single child.  She was an artist and loved painting. Phoebe loved her family and they loved her dearly. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church as long as her health allowed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Udell Mills in 2000, one daughter Lisa Turpin, a daughter in law Wanda Mills, three brothers, Jack, John and Zach (Fred) Orr, one sister, Marie Short, and three grandchildren, Kenneth Wade Mills, Don Wayne Mills, and Todd Mills, one great grandson, Josh Neal.

She is survived by three sons, Larry Mills and his wife Melanie, Randy Mills, and Kenny Mills and his wife Donna, all of Harrisburg, one daughter, Terri Burrow and her husband Ross of Searcy, AR, 17 grandchildren, Nikki Marze (Chuck) of Leesville, LA, Beth Morgan (Roger) of Harrisburg, Chris Taylor (Paige) of Colorado, Kristi Stone (Rob) of Guntown, MS, Sandy West of Benton, AR, Marilyn Neal, Larry West, Jimmie West of Texas, Jhay Mills (Carla) of Harrisburg, Starre Zane (Gary) who saw her every day of Jonesboro, AR,  Terry Lynn Duffel (Lindsey) of Cave City, AR, Shea Duffel (Kim) of Clarksville, AR, Mikey Duffel (Jackie) of Russellville, AR, Leslie Weatherford (Grant) of Hunter, AR, Shannon Mooney (Taylor) of Fayetteville, AR, Madison Burrow of Panama City Beach, FL, and Kaci Burrow of Jonesboro, AR, 31 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and a special family friend, Jason Cruze of Cabot, AR.

Funeral services are set for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Gregg-Weston Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisburg.  Rev. John Lindsey, Rev. Gary Henson and Mr. Mark Weston will all officiate.  Friends may visit at the funeral home Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Her grandsons, Chuck Marze, Gary Zane, Grant Weatherford, Jhay Mills, Jimmie West, Mikey Duffel, Rob Stone, Shea Duffel, Taylor Mooney, and Terry Lynn Duffel, will serve as pallbearers. The many wonderful children that she touched through Playschool are to be considered honorary pallbearers.  Interment will follow in Bolivar Cemetery.  All services have been entrusted to Gregg-Weston Funeral Home of Harrisburg.

Those wishing to send memorials are asked to consider Playschool Daycare in Harrisburg.