Roderick R. Mills
Roderick (Rod) Ronald Mills, 89, of Hot Springs went to be with his Savior on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Born March 20, 1937, in Pine Bluff to Joseph and Bertha Mills, he was the youngest of six.
After graduating Pine Bluff High, he embarked on a few careers before landing at International Paper where he worked 40 years until retirement in 2000. He earned a Master Electrician license. He was a Life rank Boy Scout and led a troop at 19. He volunteered for the JC's, as a retiree-cook for the IP Supervisor's Club for 25 years, made hundreds of wooden crosses for First Baptist Hot Springs for missionaries, made mosaic crosses for friends and family, and the Believers Sunday school class podium.
In August 1957, he married Rachel Catherine Rodgers and they were blessed with 61 years of marriage and two children.
He was a member of First Hot Springs for 25 years, and previously at FBC, Pine Bluff. He was baptized at Second Baptist Church, Pine Bluff at a young age and served Christ daily. He was a member of the IP Quarter Century Club.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved all hunting and was a 55-plus year member of the W.D. Oliver Deer Club where he was president for years. He won the Crappie Fisherman of the Year from the Pine Bluff Crappie Club. He loved cooking for and hosting family at the lake and taking everyone on the boat.
He is survived by a son, Steven Ronald Mills of Hot Springs; daughter, Lisa Wilkins Wiedower (Fred) of Little Rock; grandson, Russell Anderson Wilkins (Erin), Rogers; granddaughter, Catherine Ellen Wilkins of Rogers; bonus granddaughters, Ginny Hensley of Jenks, OK and Julie Wiedower Howie (Glen) of Little Rock; grands, Judah, Henry, and Benett Wilkins of Rogers; bonus grands, Caroline Hensley of Jenks and Teddy Howie of Little Rock; a nephew, Joel Frisby of Oklahoma City, and many great-nieces and -nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rachel; parents, Joseph and Bertha Mills; siblings, Hazel Frisby, J.P. Mills, Dorothy Blackwell, Harold Mills, and Sybil Hendrix; and other family members.
A celebration service is 2 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026, and visitation at 1 p.m. at Caruth-Hale in Hot Springs. Burial following at Graceland in Pine Bluff.
Online condolences athttp://www.caruth-hale.com.
