Evelyn West-Mills remembered for community service

PHOTO COURTESY WEST FAMILY
Community leader — From the DeLand City Commission to her own Downtown DeLand business, Evelyn West-Mills made her mark on her community through service.

By Keith Allen
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jun 24, 2009 - 6:53:03pm

Evelyn Trundle West-Mills, a well-known businesswoman and community leader, died June 18, 2009, at Florida Hospital-DeLand. She was 83.

Funeral services were June 23 at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand. Entombment followed at DeLand Memorial Gardens.

Born in Ringgold, Ga., Mrs. West-Mills graduated in 1947 from Stetson University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She also was very involved in Panhellenic as an alumna.

She was well-known in the business community for her accomplishments in the West Volusia area. Mrs. West-Mills was a second-generation owner and operator of Stetson Flower & Gift Shop, which is now on its fourth-generation owner, due to her great tutoring and leadership.

Mrs. West-Mills was a floral instructor at Daytona Beach Community College (now Daytona State College), and was a leading floral designer for the Teleflora selection guide used worldwide.

She served as a DeLand city commissioner; was president of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce, the Pilot Club, and the Magnolia Garden Club; and was a director of Florida National Bank, a board member of Fish Memorial Hospital, and a member of the DeLand Planning Board, Athens Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Club, the DeLand Garden Club, and the Junior Women's Club.

Mrs. West-Mills was president of the Stetson University Alumni Association 1980-82, and also was a member of the Stetson University board of trustees 1980-82.

She is survived by her husband, Roy Mills; two sons, Jim West and Randy West; one daughter, Sandra West Presley; one sister, Helen Bliss; one grandson, James West; one granddaughter, Sarah E. Presley; and one great-grandson, Matthew Keith Peterson.

Lankford was in charge.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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