Dr. Clarence N. Mills, a successful and pioneering podiatrist, and later sports medicine professor, died on May 21 from complications of cancer surgery. He practiced surgical podiatry in Philadelphia and later, Baltimore. He was one of five sons born to the Reverend Thomas O. Mills Sr. and Marguerite Robertson Mills.
Dr. Mills was preceded in death by three of his brothers: Thomas O. Mills Jr., M.D.; Bunyan A. Mills II, BA; Rev. Judson C. Mills, JD; his father and mother; son, Todd O. Mills; and first wife, Ann Mills.
Dr. Mills, along with his four brothers, all attended Lincoln University from which he graduated in 1962. Dr. Mills, also known fondly by many Lincoln classmates as “Rooster,” credits his time at Lincoln with providing some of the most memorable years that greatly contributed to his growth, development and ideological thought processes that helped mold him into the man he is today. He was extremely proud of his lifelong continued relationship with Lincoln University. Until his death he annually attended Lincoln University’s Homecoming and enjoyed tailgating with several generations of Lincolnions.
Upon his graduation from Lincoln University, he was accepted to and subsequently graduated from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 1968. Thereafter, he received Post-Surgical Training in Foot Surgery at Kensington Hospital in Philadelphia, Penn. Dr. Mills was highly regarded as one of the founders of the National Podiatry Association for Minority Podiatric Education. A career surgeon podiatrist, he assumed privileges at four Baltimore hospitals until his retirement.
Dr. Mills was recently honored on Nov. 10, 2018, by the Baltimore Chapter of the Lincoln University Alumni Association at their Sixth Annual Thurgood Marshall Gala for his contributions in the field of Podiatric Medicine and Lincoln University. He was extremely proud of his selection; the event was attended by family and friends, as well as alumni and colleagues.
After retiring from his surgical career, Dr. Mills, never one to sit idle, reinvented himself as a sports medicine educator at Coppin State University for approximately 19 years. Outside of his career accomplishments, He enjoyed playing the saxophone at several of his former churches, Shiloh Baptist Church in Atlantic City, N.J. and Mills Memorial Baptist Temple in Salisbury, Md., the most recent being New Union Baptist Church, Baltimore, and he has been an active member in his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
Dr. Mills visited his brother Don, sister-in-law Catherine and family on St. Thomas many times over the last 40 years. He also shared cruises with their friends from St. Thomas. He is fondly remembered.
He is survived by daughter, Tori-Lyn Mills, M. Ed, LCPC; brother, Don Christian Mills, JD.; sisters-in-law: Sherelle Thompson Mills, Celeste Robertson Mills and Catherine Lockhart Mills; former wife, Maria Stokes; nephews and niece: Bunyan A. Mills III (spouse – Dawn), Antony C. Mills (spouse – Nina) and Corinne M. L. Mills. He is also survived by great-nephews: Nigal A. Mills and Jalen A. Mills; cousins: Geneva Wilkins and Madeline, Madilyn, Le’Andra and Leroy Evans; and many relatives and special friends too numerous to mention.
A Celebration of Life is planned for a date in July 2019. Anyone wishing to have their comments or condolences included in his Celebration of Life Program is encouraged to submit them to the family via catherinelmills@gmail.com no later than June 24.
