Rena Mills

Rena Jane Grooms Mills, age 89, of Morristown, Tennessee passed away at home on August 11, 2022. She was born March 6, 1933 in Union City, Tennessee to the late Howard (Jake) and Gertrude Walker Grooms. Rena graduated from Dixie High School in Obion County as Valedictorian, The University of Tennessee at Martin, UT Memphis School of Nursing and pursued a masters degree at Emory University of Atlanta. Rena was dedicated to public health nursing and was employed with the Tennessee Department of Public Health for over 50 years, beginning as a public health nurse and retiring as a Regional Director of Nursing. She was the recipient of numerous awards and honors during her nursing career. She met her husband to be Kenneth in Memphis while she was teaching nursing classes and he was attending UT School Of Dentistry. On Sept 26th they would have celebrated 65 years of marriage. Rena and Kenneth raised 4 children and are blessed with 3 grandchildren. Rena was an avid reader, loved gardening and traveling and was a supporter of many charities. She was an enthusiastic supporter of UT athletics, especially the Lady Vols as she played basketball in high school. She was faithful 60 year member of First Baptist Church, Morristown. Above all, Rena loved the Lord and her family. She was a wonderful wife, caring mother and proud grandmother. She always put others before herself. Rena was preceded in death by her parents and her son David Mills. She is survived by her husband Dr. Kenneth R. Mills; sons James (Kim) of Cookeville; Richard (Rhonda) of Morristown; and daughter Beth of Nashville; grandchildren Joshua, Lindsay and Matthew; sister Joyce Grooms Archer of Memphis. The family would like to thank the caregivers of UT Home Health and UT Hospice. Funeral services will be held at Mayes Mortuary in Morristown on Tuesday, August 16th. Visitation will begin at 11am with service at 1 pm. Dr. Dean Haun will officiate. Interment will immediately follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.