Lea Robert Mills

Sgt. Lea R. Mills, age 21, of Masaryktown, Florida, died Friday, April 28, 2006 in Iraq, while performing his duty as a Marine Corps NCO, something he truly believed in. Sgt. Mills was born on July 1, 1984, in Tampa, Florida, to his very proud parents, Rob and Delores (Parker) Mills. After graduating from Hernando High School, Florida, in 2002, he joined the Marine Corps, a lifelong dream, where he advanced in rank quickly and received many honors. Lea trained with the amphibious assault vehicles and became a leader. On August 30, 2004, Lea wed his soul mate, Keesha Malicoate Mills and moved to California where he was stationed at Camp Pendelton. They shared four years of undying love. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Leamon Parker and Bob Mills. Survivors include his parents, Delores and Rob Mills, younger brother, Parker Mills, grandmothers, Peggy Parker (Al) Blanchard of Ocean Springs, MS., and Marie Mills of Tampa, FL., and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved this young man very much. Lea spent many summers on the coast in Ocean Springs where his mother grew up and where many family members still reside. He loved it here and his desire to be buried in the family cemetery, White Plains Church Cemetery in Woolmarket, will be upheld. On Saturday, May 6, 2006, there will be a 3 PM procession leaving the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home for a 3:30 PM graveside service, with full military honors, at the White Plains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to any Hancock Bank where an account has been set up in the name of Lea R. Mills Memorial Fund Prayer and Postage Account, for postage on any goody packages being sent to our U.S. military serving overseas. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.