Mrs. Arthena Johnson Mills, 81, of Flat Lick, passed away Sunday morning, April 19, 2026 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. She was born August 28, 1944 at Cary in Bell County, the daughter of the late Claude and Maudie Miller Johnson.
Arthena was a former bookkeeper for various coal companies, a teacher’s aide at Boone Elementary and a member of the Dewitt Baptist Church. She enjoyed growing calla lilies and other flowers, baking and was a UK fanatic.
On April 12, 1961, she united in marriage with Arthur Mills and to this union three children were born.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; a son, Michael Stephen Mills and brothers, Jimmy and Kenneth “Chuck” Johnson.
Survivors include her loving children, Bruce W. Mills and fiancé, Tammy, and Teresa Ann Mills all of Flat Lick; sisters, Adean Cole of Dewitt and Claudetta Dean Warnock of Flat Lick; brothers, Leon Johnson and wife, Tammy, of Cannon, Randy Smith and Stanley “Sambo” Smith and wife, Loretta, all of Flat Lick; half-sister, Jennifer Taylor and husband, Robert, of Tazewell, TN; step-sister, Vickie Washam and husband, Ronnie, of Pineville; cherished grandchildren, Ashley Mills Miller and husband, Nathaniel, of Franklin, TN, Cameron Williams and wife, Casey, of Flat Lick, Chase Mills and Clay Mills both of Richmond and a bonus grandchild, Paige Hobbs and husband, Austin, of Flat Lick; great grandchildren, Ava, Nora and Chet and bonus great grandchildren, Annie and Tripp; special nieces, Kristy Cole and husband, Nick, of Flat Lick, Virgie York and husband, Jason, Tina Sowders and husband, Jay, and Debra Akers and husband, Brad, all of Corbin; together with many cherished loved ones and faithful friends who will treasure her memory.
Her funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Friday, April 24 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Bo Henson and Rev. Paul Frost officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Farley Cemetery at Himyar.
Casket bearers will be Joseph Napier, David Miller, David Miller Jr., Jimmy Miller, Roy Miller and Everett Miller Jr. Serving as honorary bearers will be Ricky Hobbs, Dr. Shawn Fugate, Rick Hildebrand and Gordon Hanner.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Thursday between 6 and 9 P.M. and Friday prior to the funeral hour.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of ARTHENA J. MILLS.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
