NORMA J. MILLS

Mrs. Norma Jean (Tibbs) Mills 74, dearly beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. She was born on November 28, 1947 in Canton, Ohio to the late Hundley and Rachel Tibbs (Johnson).

She was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church.  Norma retired from the State of Ohio (Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, OBES) in 2008 after 39 years of service.  Norma started out with the State as a temporary part-time worker, working her way up the ranks to becoming one of the first black managers in Unemployment Compensation for the State of Ohio. She assisted many in maneuvering their way through the unemployment compensation program during her employment and after her retirement. 

She was owner/entrepreneur of Rachel’s Ice Cream shop, which was named after her late mother Rachel Tibbs, from October 1990 until approximately 1999.  She was President of the Stark County Business League; she was a member of the Stark County NAACP for many years; she was the 2nd Vice President of the Stark County Black Caucus; Field Organizer for the 2010 Campaign for the Ohio Democratic Party; Previous board member for the Stark County Regional Transit Authority (RTA); she was one of the first graduates from Leadership Stark County; in 2016 she received the Liberty Bell Award for her work with Action for Social Equality (ASE); in 2009, she had the honor and privilege of personally meeting former President Obama for her grassroots volunteer work during his campaign.  Norma received numerous community awards and recognition for her, community service, outreach and business acumen.

In addition to her parents, Norma is preceded in death by her brother Frank Hale (Canton, Ohio); sister, Hundlean Maske (Canton, Ohio); sister, Martha Carter (Buffalo, New York).

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Kelly L. Mills (Columbus, Ohio); son, Kevin L. Mills (Canton, Ohio); brother, Arthur V. Tibbs (Canton, Ohio); sister, Barbara J. Tibbs (Canton, Ohio); grandchildren, Ashley Cirignano (Columbus, Ohio), Jamare Mills (Phoenix, AZ), Kevin X. Mills, Michael Mills, Dynasty Mills, Jamil Mills, Maleckhi Mills and Meilanna  Mills; great grandchildren, Kaliyah Cirignano, Khaidyn Cirignano, Tye Brown, Mylie and Miles Mills as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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