Allen Herman Mills
Allen Herman Mills age 88 of Ferrum, Virginia, peacefully passed away on the morning of August 18, 2026 at his home.
He was born in Danville, Virginia to the late Bernard and Beatrice Mills and grew up in the Stony Mill area of Pittsylvania County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his great-grandson, Phillip Wright; son-in-law, Robert Yeatts, Sr.; father and mother-in-law, Carl and Alease Moore; brother-in-law and nephew, Linton and Jason Moore.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Debbie, of the home, daughters Janet Yeatts and Melody (NP) Hyler, both of Danville, VA, Jeanne Witt (Paul) of Penhook, VA, sister Linda Marshall (Henry) of Danville, VA, sisters-in-law June Strader (Percy) of Reidsville, NC, Rita Miller (Ray) of Keeling, VA and brother-in-law Charlie Moore (Pam) of Roxboro, NC. Also surviving are grandchildren Erin Thackston, Emily Wright, Robert Yeatts, Jr., Mary Katherine Francisco, Maggie Lucas, Steven, Laura and Patrick Witt, Zacrye Porter, Aidan Hyler and Ivan Clark; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and fans across the country and around the world.
Allen’s parents worked at Dan River Mills and raised tobacco. Around 1940, he had fond memories of resting with his father after lunch and listening to Charlie Monroe’s Noon Day Jamboree on WSJA Radio. In 1942, he rode with his father in a 1931 Model A to see Charlie Monroe in person. In 1953, Allen bought a Bell Comet mandolin from a local pawn shop and began to play music with school buddies. In 1955, he joined the Navy and with a Navy friend, attended the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree where he saw the Osborne Brothers with Red Allen.
In 1957, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy, followed by six years in the reserves. After returning to Danville, he purchased a new Gibson A50 mandolin for the sum of $90.00 and learned to play rhythm. One night, the band had no bass player. Allen’s uncle loaned him $50.00 and drove him to Rocky Mount, VA, where he bought a 1947 Kay bass fiddle.
In 1960, Allen’s career led him to the Easter Brothers and to King Records Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1962 he teamed up with another dance band, the Country T-Birds and recorded one 45 rpm record published on a Reno-Smiley label.
After departing from the T-Birds in 1973, Allen and Gene Parker met Dempsey Young. They joined with Roger Handy to form the Lost and Found Band. In 1975, their first album, First Time Around, was recorded. Through the 1980’s through the mid 2000’s, they recorded on the Rebel Records label and in 2002, recorded a Bluegrass Unlimited #1 song, Johnston’s Grocery Store. Music provided Allen a full-time career, taking him across the United States and Canada since 1977. Allen joined the ranks of such noteworthy musicians as Patsy Cline, Roy Clark, Charlie Waller and many others, being inducted into the Virginia Music Hall of Fame on September 16, 2005.
Many notable musicians played with the Lost and Found Band for over 43 years, with Allen always at the helm, until his retirement in 2017.
He was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Association with the Distinguished Achievement Award in 2019, in recognition of Pioneering Accomplishment that have fostered Bluegrass Music’s image and broadened Its Recognition and Accessibility. On July 6, Allen was informed that the Lost and Found Band will be inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in October 2026.
Other accolades Allen received include being named a Kentucky Colonel on June 14, 1999. A Kentucky Colonel is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, recognizing an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments, community service and outstanding dedication to others.
Also included in his prior work history; driving for Roy Stone Trucking Company, Co-owner of Mills-O’Dell auto-body shop, running a small music store and as a radio DJ, all in the Martinsville, VA area.
The family sincerely thanks everyone for the prayers, support, food and visits during his declining health. A special thank you to Carilion Clinic Hospice – Franklin.
A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 3-7 PM at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 Market Place Dr., Rocky Mount, VA 24151. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 3-6 PM at Atkinson Farms Barn, 777 Atkinson Rd., Danville, VA 24540. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments. (Casual dress)
Rooms are available at the Quality Inn in Danville at a group rate. Reference Celebration of Life for Allen Mills (434-333-7208)
Flowers are appreciated. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to one of the following:
Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department 9957 Woolwine Hwy. Woolwine, VA 24185
Woolwine Community Ruritan Club P.O. Box 203 Woolwine, VA 24185
Carilion Clinic Hospice – Franklin 453 S. Main St. Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Shriners Children’s Processing Center P.O. Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394 www.shrinerschildrens.org
Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory, 62 VA Market Place Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
