Madison “Madi” Hope Mills, 22, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away at home on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

She was born May 13, 2002, in Mooresville to Renata Moffett and Norman Mills. Madi was a 2020 graduate of Langtree Charter Academy and was a senior at Appalachian State University in Boone.

Madi had a brilliant smile and was a gentle soul. She was short but mighty, and fiery when impassioned. On the day of her birth, she was nicknamed “Madi Cat” by her grandma Fayola given the abundance of curly hair with which she was born. As a child, Madi looked forward to going on vacation each summer with her extended family to Myrtle Beach, S.C. She enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights in Tanglewood and attending the Cabarrus County Fair, bringing along her cousins, Jackson and Nevin Clark. She had a fondness for watching movies with an immense movie stockpile. Madi found peacocks, owls, and spiders spinning webs to be so beautiful. She had a collection of heart-shaped stones. She expected to go out to eat with her Mom and Dad every Friday evening. As Madi grew older, her biggest fun was going to the mall with friends, especially Michaela Coffey and Paloma Nogueira, to shop at Hot Topic. If wearing makeup, it had to be on point with stylish clothing. Going double the distance if necessary, she refused to drive on an interstate. She liked going to the Renaissance Festival and eating a turkey leg. She ate so many chicken nuggets, chicken strips, chicken tenders, and chicken wings that her Mom feared she was going to turn into a chicken someday. Madi loved singing with her beautiful voice and playing her electric violin. She had a gifted and accomplished musicality. She spent much of her childhood taking vocal training from Mrs. Susan O’Keefe and violin lessons from Mr. Frank Albert. Madi fervently studied political science and psychology. She was referred to as “an intellectual threat.” She was an avid reader and podcast listener. She would burn the family fire pit even in summertime, always running it out of gas, and then light candles. Madi fiercely loved her family, friends, her dog Tucker, and her snake Frank-N-Furter. She had great beauty inside and out. She was beloved and will be missed for eternity. Madi has found peace.

Madi’s favorite prayer was Celtic: May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Madison is survived by her loving parents, Renata Moffett and Norman Mills; Fayola Moffett (grandmother); Janelle Moffett (Jeff Boyer), Wayne Moffett (Sonja), Lola Chiodo, Loretta Moffett (Keith Clark), Jody Moffett (Lauren Turpin), Bobby Mills, Shirley Alexander, Joann Patterson (Joe), Carolyn Tucker (Shirley), and Cecelia Monk (aunts and uncles); Lucas Boyer, Brianna Boyer, Brantley Clark, Jackson Clark, Nevin Clark, Shane Clark, Brandy Caton, Erica Welch, Sarah Hanes, Riley Moffett, Harrison Hsiao, Misty Puckett, Wendy Moffett, Amanda Kelly, David Lozano, Cory Alexander, Roderick Alexander, Amanda Alexander, Johnathan Patterson, Jasmine Patterson, Precious, Keisha, and Stormie (first cousins); and an extensive extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by John A. Moffett, Bobby Mills, and Addie Jordan (grandparents); Rachel Moffett (aunt); and Brice Clark and Seth Clark (first cousins).

A private service will be held by the family with no visitation.

Memorial donations may be made in the name of Madison Hope Mills to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Central Piedmont, 13663 Providence Road, Suite 274, Matthews, NC 28104.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving Madi’s family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.