Bernice Louise Martin Mills

Bernice Martin Mills, 95, of Cumming GA passed away peacefully on March 16, 2024.  She is a Forsyth County native and member of the 1945 Cumming High School graduating class. 

Bernice leaves behind a legacy of love and unwavering dedication to her family, Oak Grove Baptist Church and the Coal Mountain Community.  She was saved at 12 years old and is a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Born on October 15, 1928, in Forsyth County, Bernice never ventured far from her birthplace.  She was a homemaker for the majority of her life until 1985 when she and her daughter opened the Meal House Restaurant on Spot Road providing her wonderful cooking to many local patrons.  After the closing of the Meal House, she worked at Little Acres Child Care in the infant room “rocking babies”, she considered rocking babies her greatest job.   

Bernice’s Family was her greatest treasure.  Through her love and example she instilled the love of Jesus in each one of them.  Her commitment to her church and love for the church family was a joy through the years of her life.  Her love of cooking, gardening and flowers portrayed the beauty inside her that she shared with others.  She loved everybody!

We called her Mom, but she was well known as Mama Mills by all who knew her and loved her. 

Bernice is preceded in death by her late husbands Joe Martin (death 1952) and Hoyt Mills (death 2002), infant son Randy Mills, parents Grace & Paul T. Martin, in-laws Dona & Paul Mills.

Bernice is survived by her children Jo Ann (Larry) Kohn, Pete (Betty) Martin, Stevie (Cindy M.) Mills and Alesia (Chad) Ackerman and grandchildren Carla (Mike) Gravitt, Jessica (Chris) Cheatham, Casey (Kristy) Martin, Jeramie (Katie) Martin, Elizabeth (Bo) Wilson, Rachel (Jerret) Paige, Paul (Jordyn) Ackerman, Jess Ackerman, step-grandchildren Kelley (Sam) Story and Kristin (Doug) Mohr.  16 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother, Preston Martin and sister, Margaret Martin, sister-in-laws Paulette (Mark) Grant and Colene Bobo.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.  

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Oak Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Craig Richard, and Rev. Dennis Bottoms officiating. Interment will follow at Sawnee View Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday, March 18, 2024 from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm and Tuesday March 19 from 10:00am until hour of service at Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave., Cumming, GA 30040. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Oak Grove Church Camp Fund.

The service can be seen at

https://www.youtube.com/live/iL9fAgU4bYI?si=v0m__hqFE41xQFS2