Aaron Joshua Mills

Aaron J. Mills, 45, of York, South Carolina, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 13, 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii, son of Terrance Richard Mills of Mesa, Arizona and the late Patricia Lee Flowers Mills.

Aaron moved to the Carolinas from Arizona in 1999. He started working at Mail Business Associates (MBA) in the Arboretum that same year. In 2007 he purchased the store and renamed it One Stop Mail Shop. He thoroughly enjoyed going to work each day to interact with his customers. The store closed in 2013.
Aaron married his best friend and soulmate Erica "Chelli" Mills in September 2001. While they never had any biological children their niece Jessica Anne Mills is like a daughter to them and she saw Aaron as a father. Aaron also had an abundance of close friends who he referred to as his "chosen" family.

In December of 2009 Aaron contracted necrotizing fasciitis. He was lucky to survive but the disease caused a variety of health problems for the remainder of his life. Aaron was a cofounder of the Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NFF) in 2017. Their mission is to provide emotional support and resources to necrotizing fasciitis survivors and their families, raise awareness of the disease by educating the general public, and work with doctors to rapidly identify the disease and thus save more lives. He became close friends with many in the organization and was very passionate about the work he did with them. He assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2018.

One of Aarons' favorite pastimes was baking and candy making. It was not uncommon to see him in the kitchen covered in flour. He often expressed his love through food and would bake treats for those he knew were going through tough times to cheer them. Many people looked forward to the fudge and cookies he would send out every year at Christmas time.

Aaron loved to read and travel. He went on numerous cruises with family and friends in recent years. He loved meeting new people and going to new places. He was very proud to have visited every state in the United States as well as numerous countries.
Aarons' most defining trait was his generosity. He was known for random acts of kindness toward his friends, family, and even random strangers. He would go to great lengths to bring joy and happiness to others lives. Even on his worst days he would put others before himself and was horrified at the mere thought of ever causing harm to others.

Left to cherish his memory are his father, his beloved wife of 17 years, Erica "Chelli" Mills; brothers, James Dwayne Mills with wife, Erika and Louis Leroy Mills with wife, Angie, both of Arizona; sister, Keilene Nicole Puanani Dean with husband, Kevin of Arizona; daughter, Jessica Anne Mills of South Carolina; 20 other nieces and nephews; 3 great nieces and nephew; and many dear friends. Aaron is preceded in death by his mother and oldest brother, Terrance Richard Mills, Jr.

A Celebration of Aaron's Life will be held at Sylvia Theatre on February 2nd.. The visitation will be from 10-11 and the service from 11-12.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Aaron's memory to the Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation online at: www.necfasc.org.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.basscares.com.

Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Rock Hill (803.329.4141) is assisting the family.