Lloyd Mims

Dr. Lloyd Mims, a respected figure in the world of music education and a former NATS national officer, passed away on December 7, 2023.

NATS Executive Director Allen Henderson expressed that Mims’ passion for music and dedication to NATS will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him. Most notably, Mims served as NATS national secretary-treasurer for two terms (2008-2012 and 2013-2016), even completing part of term for another officer when they had to step down due to health issues.

“When I was traveling to Miami this past fall for a conference, I drove so that I could stop by and visit Lloyd Mims who had been fighting a tough battle with aggressive liver cancer,” Henderson said. “When I stopped to visit, he was in hospice care. Despite the circumstances, it was great to reminisce with him as we’ve known each other for many years. It was an honor for me to make sure he knew how much his contributions to NATS meant. Lloyd served two terms on the national board of directors as secretary/treasurer. Before that, he stepped in when the previous secretary/treasurer had health issues and had to resign mid-term. Prior to that, he served as region governor of both the Mid-South and Southeastern NATS Regions and also served in several chapters. He and his wife Marilyn have been long-time members of NATS and hosted the organization for two different Winter Workshops at Palm Beach Atlantic where they taught. He will be missed, and we offer our deepest sympathies for his family, friends and students.”

Mims taught at Palm Beach Atlantic University for 23 years where he left an enduring impact on the institution, faculty and students. In addition to being a distinguished professor of music, he served as dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts from 2000 to 2018. He was honored as dean emeritus in 2018 and later concluded his tenure as an adjunct faculty member from 2020 to 2023. He also directed the Palm Beach Atlantic Symphony.

Beyond his roles at the university and with NATS, Mims adjudicated for various vocal festivals and competitions. Mims served in churches across Florida, Mississippi, and Kentucky. During his time in Palm Beach, he participated in the Royal Poinciana Chapel's chorale for more than two decades. Mims was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Pi Kappa Lambda. He was a guest choral conductor in Germany, France, and the Southeastern United States. Along with his wife, Marilyn, they taught voice and opera at the Fondation Bell’Arte Summer Session for many years at the Conservatory Vincennes in Paris.

As a baritone, Mims performed in opera, classical, and musical theatre genres. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of Southern Mississippi and his doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mims did additional study at the Juilliard School, the America-Italy Society and was a fellow with the Bach Aria Festival in Stony Brook, New York. He sang in numerous recitals and performed roles with Kentucky Opera and Mobile Opera, sung solo performances with Ballet Florida, the Louisville Chorus, the Louisville Orchestra the Louisville Bach Society, the Asunción National Philharmonic (Paraguay), The Choral Society of the Palm Beaches, and the Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches, among others.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Florida. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, artist-in-residence in vocal music at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and his daughter, Virginia, who most recently was named the winner of the Southeastern Region NATS Artist Awards (NATSAA) and second prize winner of the final rounds of NATS Artist Awards in New York City at Manhattan School of Music on January 7, 2024.