This memorial website was created to remember our dearest father, Cecil Lamar Mills who was born in Miami, Florida on March 19, 1943 and passed away on October 27, 2008. You will live forever in our memories and hearts. Our daddy is a true HERO. Daddy, thank you for everything you have done for us. Thank you for your support, your hard work providing for our family, your advice, your hugs, your kisses, just everything Daddy.  We all love you so much. We are sad that you are not here. We can't comprehend this, and we are full of confusion. Does anyone understand? We are sorry. We are sorry that this happened to you.....we just miss you so much, and we all love you so much.

Cecil Lamar Mills, 65, passed away Monday, October 27, 2008 in Pomona Park, Florida. Cecil was born in Miami, Florida on Friday, March 19, 1943 to the late Velouris and Louise Mills. Mr. Mills enjoyed riding his 4 wheeler, growing vegetables, tinkering with trucks and boats but his true passion was playing with his grandchildren. He was a builder of everything and a giver of love to his family and friends. Cecil leaves to cherish his memory his son, Kevin Mills and wife, Tricia of Hollister, Florida; daughters, Sherri Pye and husband, Danny of Pomona Park, Florida, Jenny Pollard and husband, Eddie of Starke, Florida, Cristy Plaisted and husband, Boo of Pomona Park, Florida; brothers, Reuben Mills of Lutz, Florida, Gary Mills of Homestead, Florida; grandchildren, Kevin Mills, Ryan Sowles, Jessica Pye, Robbie Pollard, Jamie Pye, Robert Plaisted, Raychel Pye, Jacey Plaisted, Danielle Pye, Taylor Mills and soon to be: Allie Pollard; companion, Jayne Pye; mother of his children, Susan Mills of Deleon Springs, Florida. A Celebration of Cecil's life will be 1pm, Friday, October 31, 2008 at Watts Funeral Homes in San Mateo. In leiu of flowers donations may be sent to the Putnam County Sheriff Victim Advocate Program 130 Orie Griffin Blvd, Palatka, Fl 32177.

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away. 

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away 

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Daddy:

We miss you with all the pieces of our hearts, and what is left of our souls...:(

Love,

Sherri, Kevin, Jenny, & Cristy

 A broken heart is not hard to find anymore.  My heart will forever be broken and torn. Something is gone that can't be replaced. I really miss the smile on your face. I love you daddy!

~ Cristy

 Here is our story:

A father who stopped by his daughter's house to get some drinking water from her well was shot and killed Monday after he apparently interrupted a burglary, according to Maj. Keith Riddick with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Cecil L. Mills, 65, was found lying shot to death by the open door of his vehicle by another daughter, who stopped when she saw his gray Ford truck parked in front of her sister's home on Cherry Street near Pomona Park in South Putnam County.

"He apparently goes there every day to get water because it tastes better than his own. We think he interrupted a burglary in progress," Riddick said Monday evening.

Mills was found around 1:30 p.m. He lived a couple of blocks over from his daughter.

"We got a 9-1-1 call from the residence. When we got there we found Mr. Mills dead. From all the indications there was a burglary. The door's been forced open and there was property piled up as if someone was getting it ready to take out," Riddick said.

Mills was last seen alive about 10:30 a.m. Monday when he left his home to go to his daughter's and the store "to buy smokes," Riddick said. "That was his usual routine."

Daughter Sherri Pye was passing her sister's house about 1:30 p.m. when she saw her father's truck out front and the truck door open. Her father had some health problems and she stopped to check on him.

Riddick did not yet know what kind of gun was used or how many shots were fired. Bloodhounds from the Tomoka Correctional Institute were brought in for an article search, but no weapon was found, he said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime scene analysts were still working the scene Monday evening, and Sheriff's detectives, investigators and attorneys from the homicide unit of the 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and the bloodhounds were continuing to search the area.

Riddick said two burglary investigations are ongoing in the area, but he did not know if they were tied in to the shooting. In both cases, the homeowners found their houses burglarized when they returned home from work. Several other burglaries have occurred in the area.

There are no suspects in the shooting, and law enforcement officials are hoping the public will be able to help. Anyone with information can call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at (386) 329-0800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-8477.

Arrests Made in Pomona Park Murder

A POEM WRITTEN FOR YOU DADDY:

AS DAYS TURN INTO WEEKS

AND WEEKS JUST PASS US BY,

WE PONDER ON THE QUESTION,

AND CONTINUE TO ASK WHY?

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE YOU'RE GONE

AND WE QUESTION EVERYDAY,

IF THERE IS TRUELY A REASON,

A REASON WHY YOU'VE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.

THE LOSS AND PAIN UPON OUR HEARTS,

IS TO MUCH TO UNDERSTAND.

WE TRY AND TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT,

BUT WE JUST CAN'T COMPREHEND.

THERE ARE NO WORDS OR EXPLANATIONS,

THAT SO FAR HAVE HELPED TO HEAL,

TIME I GUESS IS WHAT WE NEED,

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL IMPROVE HOW WE FEEL.

SO UNTIL THAT TIME PASSES US BY,

WE'LL CONTINUE TO CARRY ON,

AND FEEL JUST LIKE WE'VE BEEN FEELING,

SINCE THE DAY THAT YOU'VE BEEN GONE.

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU WITH ALL MY HEART DADDY,  LOVE, SHERRI

Dad....your memory will remain in our hearts and minds forever.  Your legacy will live on.  I am proud to be your daughter, and proud to stand for you as you did for us.  What you did was brave, and I honor you for that. Watch over us and guide us through. This has been the most difficult thing to hit us in our lives. We know you see us struggle everyday. We hate struggling, and we wish we could just let it go, and be happy. It's just so hard.  God bless your soul, daddy.....and always remember how much I love you. ~Cristy