Almeta Mills

God took a walk through his garden of beautiful flowers. As he strolled along the blooms, he found a special flower. He reached down his massive hand and gently picked it from all the rest.

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, while surrounded by her loving family, this special flower, Almeta Mills, peacefully made her transition to her heavenly home at the age of 77 years. Dignity, courage, and strength are all words that best describe this God-fearing, kindhearted woman.

Almeta’s journey in life began on May 12, 1948, in West Virginia, the daughter of Albert and Olarvean Caldwell. At a young age, her family relocated to Saginaw, Michigan, where she became a lifelong resident.

She attended Saginaw Public Schools and was a 1967 graduate of Saginaw High School. Almeta then began her career in Nursing at Healthsource Saginaw. She retired in 2002 after 32 years of faithful service.

In 1968, Almeta was united in holy matrimony with Willie Mills Sr. in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they shared 48 years of wedded bliss until his passing. As a faithful Christian, she was a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie Hill. Almeta enjoyed attending service and praising the Lord.

She loved her family and spending time with them while creating memorable, precious moments. Almeta enjoyed dancing and listening to the blues. That’s when she became the life of the party! Because she cared so much for others, Almeta was willing to lend a hand. She loved cooking and would always make sure to fix you a hearty plate. Almeta enjoyed shopping and traveling with her family. Her greatest enjoyment was creating special bonds with her children and grandchildren. They always made her smile. Gone but never forgotten, her presence and that beautiful smile will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Almeta leaves to celebrate her memory, one daughter, Renae(John) Williams; two sons, Willie James Mills Jr. and Dionne Donate Mills; grandchildren, Da’Maya, Ka’Nija, Dionne, Dionna, Rihanna, Royalty, Demetrius and Tresean Mills, Quindreveon and Dre’lyn Poole, Ja'Kiel Stone, and Roshun Rosas; great-grandchildren, Ja’Laya, Zha’Ryah, Ma’tavion Jr., Kh’Mari, Na’Marya and Jaxen; three sisters, Pauline Strong, Rilla and Katie Caldwell; several nieces, nephews and cousins; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Debra Hinton Abdullah and Adrian Williams.

Almeta was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Mills Sr., one daughter, Nicole Mills, parents, Albert and Olarvean Caldwell, one grandson, Da'Michael Mills, one sister, Brenda Caldwell, one brother, Clifford J. Caldwell Sr., mother and father-in-law, Curtis and Lucy Mills, two sisters-in-law, Helen Mills and Onner Lee Little, four brothers-in-law, Frank, Sam, Ned and Bobby Mills, special friend, Roberta Richmond.

The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Hill and the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church family, Ivan E. Phillips and the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and everyone who expressed kind words, prayers, and condolences.