Mildred Dove Nelms

Mildred (Mille) Dove Nelms, after a life fully lived for 91 years, passed away on April 12, 2019. Mille was born on August 1, 1927 in Bladenboro, North Carolina to James Alonzo Dove and Myrtle Tyner Dove. One of ten children, Mille was a top student at Bladenboro High School, excelling in sports and academics where she was a member of the Honor Society. She was the local Miss War Bonds while a student at there and also worked at a local theater in the ticket booth.

Upon graduation in 1944, Mille got a job at Western Union in Wilmington, North Carolina where she met her future husband, Norman Nelms Jr. at a local dance hall. They got married in 1945 and began to raise a family in the Lake Forest neighborhood in Wilmington.

Norman worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and when the company moved its headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida in 1960, Mille and Norman followed with the family in tow.

Along with raising four children, Mille also worked ten years as a bookkeeper for Duval County Public Schools and seven years for Dr. Skinner's school as a tutor for children with learning disabilities.

Spending time with her family and "making memories" was her favorite past-time, but Mille was also a fabulous cook and an avid reader. She loved to crochet and to solve the daily Jumble in the local newspaper. Mille was a long-time member of Arlington Presbyterian Church and enjoyed Sunday afternoon lunches with her fellow members after the service.

Mille was the last surviving member of her immediate family and is predeceased by her husband, Norman Nelms Jr. and son Norman Nelms III. She is survived by her remaining children, Jerry Nelms and wife Barbara Cerridwen in Asheville, North Carolina; David Nelms and wife Jill Nelms and their daughter Kristina Nelms in Shallotte NC; Anne Lane and her husband Brad Lane, and their children Logan and Casey Lane of Jacksonville, Florida; Karen Nelms, wife of Norman Nelms III, and her children Taylor Nelms, Michael Nelms, and Brooke Williamson and husband Lee Williamson along with their children and Mille's great grandchildren, Finley, Bennie, and Rivers in Orlando.

A graveside service officiated by Rev. Joseph Medearis will be held for Mille on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 10 am at Greenlawn Cemetery 4300 Beach Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207. A reception will follow in the chapel from 11 am to 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arlington Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL.