Shirley Mills

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Shirley Weborg Mills passed away with her family by her side on November 22, 2023 at the age of 99.

Shirley was born on August 2, 1924 in Milwaukee, WI to Irvin O. Weborg & Sarah H. Johnson-Weborg. Shirley was one of five children; John, Josephine, Ruth (all deceased), and survived by Janet.

After graduating from high school, Shirley set her sights on the "wild west" for health reasons. She was the first one of her family to leave Wisconsin. She rolled into Old Tucson in a big 8 wheel powered Pullman coach train. With parasol and tote in hand, she tiptoed off the Pullman and was welcomed by the sunshine of Tucson where she spent the majority of her 99 years of life.

Not long after Shirley's arrival in Tucson, she met a tall dark stranger. They danced the night away and it wasn't long before she married William Bert Mills. Shirley & Bill were blessed with three tall handsome boys; William Bert Jr. (deceased) (ex-wives; Hilda, Laura, Janet,....), Jeffrey Alan, (wife Anita) and Gregory Bryan (ex-wife Maureen and mother of his children, and life partner Rochelle) Later, Shirley was also blessed with a host of grandchildren & great-grandchildren and was known by many of her grandchildren as their "Big Nana". She also had many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Shirley committed a lot of her life to working at the El Camino Baptist Church in Tucson. She worked until approximately age 80, then helped at the First Baptist Church in Safford, AZ well into her 90's. She faithfully kept her books of prayer requests and brought them to God in prayer every morning. She often missed breakfast because her prayer list was so long. In her later years she felt God was keeping her here so she could pray for others.

Shirley loved sports and was known as a heavy hitter playing baseball with her children and their friends. In her later years she enjoyed a good crossword puzzle to keep her great mind sharp, along with staying up to date on all the football, baseball, and basketball games.

Shirley had wanted to go be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for a long time. The morning of her passing she let Jesus know that this would be the last time she would ask. She then "hailed a Taxi" and went to heaven on November 22, 2023.

Many thanks and much appreciation to all of Shirley's family and friends that helped her life to be better during her later years.

A "Celebration of Shirley's Life" will be held in Safford, AZ in the spring of 2024. Date & time to be announced.