Rhonda, her first grandbaby, & W.A. Mills, her husband Rhonda Robertson Mills, age 49, of Lexington, Virginia, passed into the presence of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, after a four-and-a-half year long battle with reoccurring health challenges.
Rhonda was born on Monday, Sept. 19, 1966, in Lynchburg, VA. She was predeceased by her biological father, Cpl. Ronald Edward Robertson who died in the Vietnam War; her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Robertson; paternal grandfather, Edward I. Robertson; and paternal uncle Jerry R. Robertson
Rhonda is survived by her parents, the Rev. Earl and Carla Ragland of Thaxton; Pastor W. A. Mills Jr., husband of 30 years; and their adult children Rachel Mills Wilson and husband David of Lexington, Tré Mills and wife Megan of Blacksburg, and Hannah Mills of Washington, D.C. It was Rhonda’s great joy to live long enough to see and hold their firstborn grandchild, Gabriel David Wilson
Rhonda leaves behind her five siblings, Ronnie Robertson (Astrid), Mark Robertson (Regina), Robin Ragland Bass (Alvin), Murdock Ragland, and “ baby” brother Corbert Ragland (Dale). She is also survived by her beloved in-laws, the Rev. Tim and Ruth Mills Creel.
Rhonda met her college sweetheart at Holmes Bible College in Greenville, S.C., in 1983. After dating two years they were wed on Saturday, Oct. 12, 1989, and spent their 30 years together as husband and wife pastoring churches in North Carolina and Virginia, the last 20 years as senior pastor and first lady of the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, who has faithfully stood by their side from day one, providing special care during the last years and days of her life on this earth.
Rhonda served as a registered nurse for nearly 20 years until her health necessitated an early retirement. She was an accomplished musician, vocalist, and artistic individual who was described by some as sassy and classy, fun and feisty. She loved her husband, children, grandson, family and friends, but most of all her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose presence she now dwells eternally.
A celebration of Rhonda’s life is scheduled for Saturday, 11 a.m., April 30, at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1702 Chestnut Ave., Buena Vista, VA. The internment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6 to 8 at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Pastor Bart Hellmuth, Bishop Preston Mathena, and Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham will officiate at the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rhonda's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Program. The family would like to thank Carillion Home Health, UVA Medical Staff, church family, and friends all around the world for their faithful, unwavering love and care shown to them during Rhonda’s extended illness.
Arrangements are by Bolling, Grose, and Lotts Funeral Home in Buena Vista.
Rhonda was born on Monday, Sept. 19, 1966, in Lynchburg, VA. She was predeceased by her biological father, Cpl. Ronald Edward Robertson who died in the Vietnam War; her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Robertson; paternal grandfather, Edward I. Robertson; and paternal uncle Jerry R. Robertson
Rhonda is survived by her parents, the Rev. Earl and Carla Ragland of Thaxton; Pastor W. A. Mills Jr., husband of 30 years; and their adult children Rachel Mills Wilson and husband David of Lexington, Tré Mills and wife Megan of Blacksburg, and Hannah Mills of Washington, D.C. It was Rhonda’s great joy to live long enough to see and hold their firstborn grandchild, Gabriel David Wilson
Rhonda leaves behind her five siblings, Ronnie Robertson (Astrid), Mark Robertson (Regina), Robin Ragland Bass (Alvin), Murdock Ragland, and “ baby” brother Corbert Ragland (Dale). She is also survived by her beloved in-laws, the Rev. Tim and Ruth Mills Creel.
Rhonda met her college sweetheart at Holmes Bible College in Greenville, S.C., in 1983. After dating two years they were wed on Saturday, Oct. 12, 1989, and spent their 30 years together as husband and wife pastoring churches in North Carolina and Virginia, the last 20 years as senior pastor and first lady of the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, who has faithfully stood by their side from day one, providing special care during the last years and days of her life on this earth.
Rhonda served as a registered nurse for nearly 20 years until her health necessitated an early retirement. She was an accomplished musician, vocalist, and artistic individual who was described by some as sassy and classy, fun and feisty. She loved her husband, children, grandson, family and friends, but most of all her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose presence she now dwells eternally.
A celebration of Rhonda’s life is scheduled for Saturday, 11 a.m., April 30, at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1702 Chestnut Ave., Buena Vista, VA. The internment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6 to 8 at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Pastor Bart Hellmuth, Bishop Preston Mathena, and Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham will officiate at the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rhonda's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Program. The family would like to thank Carillion Home Health, UVA Medical Staff, church family, and friends all around the world for their faithful, unwavering love and care shown to them during Rhonda’s extended illness.
Arrangements are by Bolling, Grose, and Lotts Funeral Home in Buena Vista.
Left to right Tre’, Rhonda, Hannah, W. A., Rachel, Rachel Mills Wilson and husband David
[Editor's Comment: It was a privilege for Melvine and me to travel to Buena Vista, Virginia, to participate in a wonderful Veteran's Day Celebration on a Sunday a number of years ago when I was the Director/Endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC. Pastor W. A. Mills invited me to speak that Sunday to honor our veterans as well as preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If I recall correctly, their annual celebration of Veteran's Day is one of the largest in that area, and it drew a record crowd.
We remember Rhonda with fondest memories as she saw to it that our every need was taken care of during that weekend. The accommodations were excellent, and we loved meeting their children.
It was my privilege to serve on the Holmes Bible College Board of Trustees with W. A. Mills, a prince of a man, and a powerful preacher and a gifted pastor.
I praise God that Rhonda's sufferings are now over and she is forever in peace and rest in heaven. We honor her lovely name and the life and legacy she leaves to all of us to trust God with our lives and our future. It is our prayer that the Comfort of the Holy Spirit will be real in the lives of this precious family.
John in his writing of the Book of Revelation has this to say about those who Christians who die: "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13, NIV).]
We remember Rhonda with fondest memories as she saw to it that our every need was taken care of during that weekend. The accommodations were excellent, and we loved meeting their children.
It was my privilege to serve on the Holmes Bible College Board of Trustees with W. A. Mills, a prince of a man, and a powerful preacher and a gifted pastor.
I praise God that Rhonda's sufferings are now over and she is forever in peace and rest in heaven. We honor her lovely name and the life and legacy she leaves to all of us to trust God with our lives and our future. It is our prayer that the Comfort of the Holy Spirit will be real in the lives of this precious family.
John in his writing of the Book of Revelation has this to say about those who Christians who die: "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13, NIV).]