Dolores Ann Runyan Mills

Mrs. Dolores Ann Mills, 89, went home to be with Jesus, Friday, February 6, 2026. Dolores was born October 29, 1936, in Everett, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Paul Robert Runyan and Virginia Grace Sponsler Runyan. She grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Saltsburg Joint High School in 1954. Being from a family of educators, Dolores earned a teaching degree from State Teachers College in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

In 1960, she married the love of her life Donald Mills. They spent a few years in Pennsylvania before moving to Lima, Ohio where they lived for twenty years. A job transfer brought them to Burlington, North Carolina in 1986. They shared 57 years of marriage and raised two children.

Dolores spent her life caring for her family. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandma. She always took care of everyone, preparing delicious meals, helping with schoolwork and just being attentive, kind and compassionate. She loved reading to the children in her life and teaching them new things. She nurtured their creativity by doing crafts, playing games with them or whatever they wanted to do….except for swimming.

Rarely idle, she kept busy with many hobbies. She enjoyed refinishing antique furniture and quilting which went along with her enthusiasm for the history of early America. Cooking was one of her specialties. Dolores instilled in family a love for all animals. She always fed the birds and enjoyed identifying all the different kinds that visited her feeders. Her pets were part of the family, bringing everyone lots of comfort and joy. She shared a passion for gardening, just like her father. In her younger days, she planted a large garden each year so she could can vegetables. Her family still misses her special relish and canned tomatoes. Loving the outdoors, she was fond of bike rides in the countryside and later in life she became an avid walker, walking a couple of miles each day until just a few years ago when she was no longer able.

Survivors include her son, Donald Mills and his wife Kimberly of Liberty; her daughter Debbie Mills of Elon; two grandsons, Tristan Mills and wife Elizabeth of Charlotte; and Reuben Mills of Greenville; two great granddaughters, Madison and Cheyenne Mills; and a brother Don Runyan and his wife Kim; sister in-laws Janet McCreery Runyan and Diane Dietrich Runyan; nieces Laura Kubica, Joey Deak, Caroline Runyan; nephews Curtis Runyan, Chase Runyan, Albert Runyan, and John Paul Runyan; along with many other nieces and nephews from the Mills side of the family and her special kitty companion Bob.

Dolores is reunited in peace with her father, Paul Runyan, her mother, Grace Runyan, her loving husband, Don Mills, her brother Charles Runyan and nephew, Simon Runyan. Though they are no longer here, their memories endure in the hearts of those who cherish her. Dolores Ann Runyan Mills was a woman of remarkable strength and love. Her legacy will live on through her family and friends, as they carry forth the lessons she imparted and the love and joy she shared. She will be profoundly missed by all whose lives she deeply touched.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Altamahaw Baptist Church in Elon with Pastor Walter Jones officiating,

The family would like to thank Bonnie Womack, Gladys Neal and all the staff at AuthoraCare for their kindness and care. Also thank you to all the special friends who have supported her and her family throughout the last few years. 

Memorials may be made to: AuthoraCare, 914 Chapel Hill Road Burlington, NC 27215 or Burlington Animal Services, 221 Stone Quarry Road Burlington, NC 27217.