Eugene Franklin “Gene” Mills (1948 – 2025)

Eugene Franklin “Gene” Mills, 77, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in the comfort of his home.

Eugene Franklin “Gene” Mills

A funeral service will take place at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main Street, Front Royal with Pastor Kent Woodward officiating. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Following all services, the interment will take place in Panorama Memorial Gardens. The family also invites guests to join them for a time of food and fellowship following the burial at the Rivermont Volunteer Fire Department, 50 Stokes Airport Rd, Front Royal.

Gene was born on April 7, 1948, in Fauquier Hospital, Warrenton, Virginia, to the late Raymond Preston Mills Jr. and Margaret Ann Hoffman Mills. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Damien Tanner.

Surviving Gene is his loving wife of 52 years, Dorcas Laing Mills; his children, Jason Mills (Melissa), Charles Tanner (Tina), and Melinda Tanner Franklin (Teddy); his siblings, Kenny Mills, Jane Mills Dawson, Wayne Mills, Raymond Mills, and Karen Mills Bright; his grandchildren, Katlyn Mills (Lex), Eli Eugene Mills, Chris Blake (Kim), Keith Blake, Stephan Tanner (Casey), Rhiannon Tanner Chadwick (Kalvin), and Sebastion Tanner; his great-grandchildren, Preston Gochenour, Ethan Tanner, Landon Tanner, Adrian Tanner, KaliAnne Chadwick, Everleigh Chadwick, Willow Tanner, Drewbella Blake, Sydney Blake, Adelyn Blake, Jaxton Blake and Alexis Blake; and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Gene also had a special bond with his sister-in-law, Debbie Mills, and his niece, Elizabeth Miller. For the last few years, they have repeatedly spent time with Gene and provided him with great love and care during his illness. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and aides from Blue Ridge Hospice for their exceptional care of Gene, especially Chrissy Lockhart and Latoya Smith, the caregivers/CNAs who came in every morning to get Gene ready for the day. Also to Karlee Lehew, who spent a couple of years assisting Gene.

Eugene was a member of the Winchester Church of God and was a very spiritual, active member of his church. Most knew him as a quiet, gentle giant, but the time and effort he spent in his church, as well as with the clown ministry and the orphanage in Romania, speak volumes. He also spent some time clowning with his wife as “Jingles” to her “Giggles,” performing at many events around the Shenandoah Valley. Gene retired from IBEW Electric and was proud of his time as a Foreman with J.E. Richards. More than anything, Gene loved to entertain. He enjoyed cooking, baking, and grilling out for family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Mills, Raymond Mills, Mike Tennett, Kalvin Chadwick, Kenny Dawson, and Kyle Murphy.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Mills, Eli Mills, Charles Tanner, Teddy Franklin, Robert Simms, Robert Laing, and Robert Wright.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice at 333 W. Cork Street, #405, Winchester, Virginia 22630, or to Winchester Church of God, Hope Care Center at https://www.wincog.com/give