Jearldean (Sis) Arveta Pethel Mills

Jearldean (Sis) Arveta Pethel Mills passed away peacefully at Brookdale Senior Living in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday, October 4, 2025. She was born on September 23, 1932 in Kannapolis, NC to the late Carl Glenn Pethel and Effie King Pethel. Sis was a loving wife, mother, committed Christian, and friend. She graduated from J. W. Cannon High School in Kannapolis in 1950 and entered the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1953. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, and a Masters of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She began her career at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital as a Head Nurse, and later as an instructor in the School of Nursing where she also served as Acting Director. In 1972 she transferred to Rowan Cabarrus Community College as an instructor in the nursing program. She became the Director of Nursing Education at the college, and through her guidance, the program became the third Associate Degree Nursing program in the state to receive accreditation from the National League of Nursing. She was known to be a firm but fair instructor and her students jokingly referred to her as “General Mills”. At the time of her retirement in 1996, she was Associate Vice President of the college and supervised the activities of the South Campus.

In 1956, Sis was baptized and joined Epworth United Methodist Church on July 3, 1960. Throughout her church membership, she taught children of all ages in Sunday School. She was a charter member of the Epworth United Women in Faith and held various positions in the organization. She was a recipient of the UMW Life membership recognition, mother of the year, and along with her husband, grandparents of the year. She participated in disciple classes, attended retreats at Lake Junaluska, and was an active member of the Hot Dog ministry.

Sis was instrumental in organizing the first Girl Scout troop at Epworth United Methodist Church and led both Brownie and Junior troops. She received the Service Award from the Hornet’s Nest Girl Scout Council for her work with troop leadership and with the training of Girl Scout leaders. She was active in the Concord High School Band Boosters while her daughters were in school.

Following the death of her husband, Sis started the health ministry at Epworth United Methodist Church where she served as the Faith Community Health Nurse until 2023 where she accumulated over 30,000 volunteer hours. During that time, she counseled numerous church members, led exercise classes, taught CPR classes, organized blood drives, and encouraged church members to adopt an overall healthy lifestyle.

On April 21, 1956, Sis married the love of her life, Ira (Bud) Mills. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2000. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Charles Glenn Pethel. She is survived by daughters, Linda Mills Cranford (Bill) of Holden Beach, Nancy Mills Armstrong (Joe) of Oak Island, and Betsy Mills Bryan (Donald) of Wilmington; grandchildren, Chad Hudson, James Smith, Jr (Josh), Charlie Smith (Paige), Brian Cranford (Sara), Jordan Armstrong (Kayla), Dottie Bryan Cole, and Tomie Bryan; and great-grandchildren Mason Smith, Parker Smith, Rylie Smith, Bryant Cranford, Bryce Cranford, Patrick Cole, Ellie Cole, Jackson Cole, and Lily Cole.

Sis will be remembered for her superb sewing talents, superior nursing capabilities and her knack for making the best chocolate pie on the planet. In her later years, Sis could be found every morning at 5:00 swimming at the Sportscenter and then off to breakfast surrounded by her faithful breakfast buddies.

The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers of Brookdale Wilmington for the excellent care and compassion she received while living there.

Arrangements for Sis are as follows: 

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Epworth United Methodist Church

1030 Burrage Road NE

Concord, NC 28025

Visitation: 11:00 AM

Funeral service: 12:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord, NC 28025.