Angelia “Ann” Avery Mills, age 92, of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at home, surrounded by family.
A native of Craven County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley and Emma Heath Avery. Ann worked for several years as an operating room nurse at Moore Memorial Hospital. In 1977, Robert Martin, D.O., hired her as the second nurse for what is now Carolina Eye Associates.
She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Julia Avery; her husband, Mac Mills; and siblings Eunice Heath, Hattie White, Catherine Wood, Frances Williams, Evelyn Reeves, and Cleon Lincke.
She is survived by her son, Malcolm Mills (wife Ann) of Southern Pines; daughter Angie Scherer (husband Andy) of Carthage; daughter Becky Myrick (husband Clayton) of West End; and daughter Dawn Williamson (husband Marshall) of Pinehurst; brother Wiley Avery and wife Barbara of Cove City; grandchildren: Erin Engle, Laurin Wolbeck, Janna Nall, Jami Trotter, Avery Myrick, Liza Scott, Brittany Stutts, and Kristi Dawson; great-grandchildren: Emma Engle, Lydia Engle, Elijah Engle, Blane Mills, Sawyer Wolbeck, Grant Nall, Matthew Nall, Halee Nall, Caroline Scott, Sloan Scott, Kennedy Dawson, Blakely Dawson and Kollins Stutts.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Pinehurst United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jabe Largen officiating. Friends may gather afterward. A private family burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, North Carolina 28387, or Pinehurst United Methodist Church, 4111 Airport Road, Pinehurst, North Carolina 28387.
Online condolences may be made at: PinesFunerals.com.
