02/26/2026
WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF:
Timothy Hobart Mills, age 61, of Arjay, Kentucky went to his heavenly home on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tim was born to James E. Mills Sr. and Bernadine Carnes Mills on August 23, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan. Whether you knew Tim as Tim Hobart, Hobart, THM, Timmy, Preach, Pap, Papaw or Uncle, you know he lived the 22,461 days of his life to the very fullest. You would also know that he was, and will always be, known as “Mama’s Baby.” At the age of 8, Tim conducted his first funeral for the family dog and soon afterwards he gave his heart to Christ. He spent the rest of his life giving and serving others with a smile on his face and the joy of the LORD in his heart. Tim loved music, which began through his work at WANO radio of Pineville, KY and grew as he worked as a DJ for other events, long before he could even drive. In 1983, he graduated from Bell County High School, dedicated his ministry, and released his “Singing for the Lord” gospel album. He graduated from the University of the Cumberlands (’87) Williamsburg, KY and attended Southwest Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In 1988, Tim was ordained at Greenland Baptist Church in Corbin, KY.
Tim’s life experiences were many. He worked as a substitute teacher, wrote “Until Then” his freelance column for Tri-state area newspapers, worked as an NCAA referee, spoke as a motivational speaker, worked as a gospel preacher and in music ministry. Tim was the Vice-President of the National City (now PNC) Bank branch in Middlesboro, KY and is also a licensed State Farm Insurance agent. Tim served as a Pastor, Music Minister, or Interim Pastor at these churches: Greenland Baptist Church Corbin, KY; Horse Creek Baptist Church Corbin, KY; Walnut Hill Baptist Church Ewing, VA; and Bethlehem Baptist Church Pineville, KY. Tim was serving as the current Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Harlan, KY.
Tim’s smile (even while singing) went everywhere he went since his childhood. As a youngster and adult, Tim was active in 4-H and served as the 4-H State President. He was involved in First Priority, and he was still serving as an ambassador for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Tim served Union Commonwealth University as a sports chaplain for over 20+ years and he was currently serving as the chaplain for the University of the Cumberland’s’ baseball team.
Tim had also been an active and involved citizen in both Bell County and throughout the Commonwealth. Tim had been serving as the current Associate Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky, Order of the Eastern Star and had previously served as Grand Chaplain and Grand Sentinel in KY. Tim had also served Pineville Chapter #89 as their Past Patron and Bell Lodge #691 of Pineville, KY as Past Master.
Tim was preceded in death by his father, James Ernest Mills Sr. of Arjay, KY; his grandparents, Clarence Hobert and Stella Mills of Mills, KY; Alonzo Carnes of Lima, OH, and Fannie Bingham Carnes of Dewitt, KY; and his one brother-in-law, Gary L. Baker of Middlesboro, KY.
Timothy Hobart is survived by his loving mother, Bernadine Carnes Mills of Arjay, KY; sister, Bridget Mills Baker of Middlesboro, KY; brother, James E. Mills Jr. (Debbie) of Arjay, KY; nephew, James Mills III of Arjay, KY; nieces, Brittany E. Baker of Georgetown, KY; Megan D. Mills of Richmond, KY; and Morgan A. Mills Philpot (Cole) of Pineville, KY. Tim is also survived by two beloved aunts, Imogene Mills, of Knoxville, TN and Peggy Mills of Mt. Vernon, KY. and many other extended family members who love him.
Tim Hobart is also survived by a special extended family who love him as well: Joshua Baker (J1) of Georgetown, KY; Joshua Brock (J2) of Pineville, KY; Joshua Howard (J3) (Whitney “DIL”), Lillian, and Madison of Harrogate, TN; Jacob Seabolt (Sierra) and Cooper of Arjay, KY; Dustin Dixon (Courtney), Aubree, and Devin of Arjay, KY; Nate Smith (Hannah) and Ava of Arjay, KY ; Seth Elliott (Amanda), Graysen, Carson of Franklin, TN; Shannon Bunch of Dallas, Texas and Emme Bunch of Rockwall, Texas; Robert Zik (Karen) of Corbin, KY; Will Zik (Brittany), Liam and Titus of Owensboro, KY; Trevor Barton and (Allison, his GYN), Greyson and Shepherd of London, KY; and Bo Collett (Kim) of Flat Lick, KY.
Tim leaves behind an untold number of friends who have crossed paths with him. He fully believed that our lives are changed by the people we meet, places we go, experiences we have, and books we read.
Visitation for Tim Hobart will be on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Pineville, KY. An Eastern Star funeral service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held for Timothy on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Pineville, KY with William Zik and Trevor Barton officiating. Masonic Rights services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Music will be provided by Dr. James E. Greene and Shannon Bunch.
Burial and graveside services will be at the Binghamtown Cemetery in Dewitt, KY.
Pallbearers for Tim Hobart Mills will be Jacob Seabolt, Dustin Dixon, Nate Smith, Seth Elliott, Gary Brooks, Cole Philpot, Jimmy Carnes, and Jace Howard.
Honorary pallbearers for Tim are: Dr. Neil Barry IV of Knoxville, TN; Dr. Martha Combs-Woolum of Pineville, KY; University of the Cumberlands Patriots baseball team; Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs Baseball and football teams; Bell County Volunteer Fire Department; Bell Lodge #691, Bell County and Olekia Temple Shrine, and Grand Chapter of KY Order of the Eastern Star sisters and brothers.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the First Presbyterian Church 306 E. Clover Street, Harlan, KY 40831.
The Mills family would like to extend thanks to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for their superb care of Tim. Special heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff of the Cardiology and Nephrology departments.
The Green Hills Funeral Home of Middlesboro, KY is honored to serve the Timothy H. Mills family.
