Eula Gray Stancil Mills

SMITHFIELD – Eula Gray Stancil Mills, age 89, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025.  Born in Johnston County, NC on January 7, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Eddie Stancil and Sally Massengill Stancil.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Archie Ray Mills; her son, Steven Gray Mills; her four brothers; and her two sisters.

Eula was a woman of deep faith who loved the Lord and lived her life with a quiet strength and determination.  Together with her husband, Ray, she worked tirelessly on their family chicken farm, building not just a business but a legacy of hard work and hospitality.  After Ray’s passing at an early age, Eula carried on their work with remarkable perseverance, managing the farm and caring for the crews who worked alongside her.  She provided housing for her workers, made sure they had what they needed, and faithfully took them to the grocery store each week.  For nearly 20 years, she devoted herself to this labor until a powerful windstorm destroyed her chicken houses—an unexpected event that seemed to mark the Lord’s timing for her retirement.  Even then, her love and care continued to flow to her family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and most recently her great great-grandson, whom she was overjoyed to meet.  Eula’s life was a beautiful reflection of steadfast love, faith, and generosity that will be remembered for generations.

Eula is survived by her sons, Timothy Ray Mills and wife, Kim, Kenneth Gray Mills and wife, Tina, and Daniel Mills and wife, Lisa; her grandchildren, Timothy Ray Mills, II and wife, Lori, Terry Mills and wife, Kelly, Tyler Mills, and Lee Gay and wife, Ashley; her great-grandchildren, Taylor, Trevor, Trey, Davis, Taytum Gray, and Parker Gay; and her great great-grandson, Harrison.

A Graveside Service to celebrate Eula’s life will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Pineview Cemetery with Rev. Boris Wiggins officiating.  Visitation with the family will follow the service at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Eula’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.