Patricia B. Mills
Patricia “Patty” Banner Mills, 97, formerly of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Born in Asheville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Paul R. Banner and Mary Lou Gash Banner, and the devoted wife of the late Carl Eugene “Gene” Mills. Patty was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Gary, and her brother, Mike Banner.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Henderson (Jim) and June Deas (Bobby); her daughter-in-law, Carol Lou Mills; and her grandchildren, who adored her deeply: Heather Foster (Wesley), Scott Henderson (Andra), Haley Miller (Stuart), Cody Deas (Betsy), Alex Deas, and Jacob Deas (Morgan). She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren: Luke, Ayden, and Emmie Foster; Lachlan Henderson; Holt, Beau, and Case Miller; and Emma Kate Eddy and Mills Deas and several nieces and nephews.
Patty’s faith was the foundation of her life. She lived it quietly but sincerely through kindness, humility, and the way she cared for and served others. She served in many capacities in the United Methodist Church her entire life, most recently at Pineville United Methodist Church for 51 years.
Patty lived her life with a quiet grace that left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. She was warm, kind, and endlessly generous. Her greatest joy was her family, and she poured herself into being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Nonnie” —a name that captured the tenderness, comfort, and love she offered so freely. Her home and her heart were always open, offering peace, encouragement, and unconditional love. She made friends easily and kept them for a lifetime; her gentle presence and wisdom were gifts to all who knew her.
Music was woven into every part of Patty’s life. She began serving as a church organist at 14 years old and continued faithfully until her retirement at 82. She taught piano for many years and spent time as a preschool teacher, sharing her love of music and learning with children. Her patience, encouragement, and gentle way of teaching made a difference in the lives of countless young people. Another of Patty’s great loves was nurturing her garden and the birds that visited it—a place where she spent countless hours taking in the beauty of God’s creation.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Pineville United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.
The funeral service honoring Patty’s life is Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC. The family will receive friends following the service.
