Carolyn Mills Rion, 88, passed away peacefully at the Village on March 2nd in Gainesville Florida.
Carolyn was born in Archer, Florida and lived most of her life in Gainesville, attending Kirby Smith Elementary School and Gainesville High School. She was a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, where she earned a degree in Dental Hygiene.
Carolyn is survived by her sons, David Cellon (John) of Suwannee and Larry Cellon (Helen) of Boca Raton, granddaughter Catherine Cellon of Boca Raton, her brother, Maj. Gen. Byron Mills, Ret., of San Antonio, and her sister, Noel Mills McGriff, of Gainesville. She is preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Juanita Mills, and her husband of 35 years, W.E. “Bill” Rion, long-time director of the Reitz Union. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, DeWitt Cellon, her brother, Clayton W. Mills, and sisters-in-law Joanne Little Mills and Judy Pulver Mills and brother-in-law Perry C. McGriff Jr.
For many years, Carolyn worked as a dental hygienist for several prominent dentists, Gordon Schwalbe, DDS, Jim Kirkland, DDS and Ben Samuels, DDS. For more than 25 years, she also could be seen in the Press Box at Florida Field at every home football game, where she assisted Bill as a statistician for the Florida Gators.
Carolyn was active in her community in many ways. She was a member of the Junior League, the Gainesville Garden Club, PEO Chapter FH, the Patio Club, the Gainesville Women’s Club and Children’s Theater. She was Master Flower Show Judge and was well known for her beautiful floral arrangements. She was also a terrific bridge player and tried patiently, but probably unsuccessfully, to teach her friends the finer points of play.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Village Foundation, The Village of Gainesville 8000 NW 27 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.
Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 311 S. Main ST Gainesville, FL 32601. 352-376-5361 www.milamfh.com. No service is scheduled at this time.
