July 3, 1944 – April 20, 2024

Deacon Carol Ann Mills, 79, of Alvin, Texas, passed away on April 20, 2024. She was born in Illinois. She and her brother were born to Annie Catherine Gillis and Donald Eugene Gillis, a family of talented musicians.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Mills Jr., married for 53 years; son, Andrew Thomas Mills, and his fiancé Anne, and three children; also, by her daughter, Diana Mary Melissa Mills, son-in-law, Daniel Harding, and their four children. She is also survived by her step-sister, Julie Anne Gillis Lucas, and niece, Susan Gillis Alderink. Carol Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Don Gillis, and her son, Aaron Donald Mills.

Carol Ann graduated from Ann Arbor High School in Michigan and put herself through college at University of Michigan and Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth eventually earning her bachelor's degree in library science from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. She also completed her master’s degree in library science from Texas Women's University at Denton in 1973.

Carol Ann was a gifted librarian who met the love of her life, Joe, in the church choir in 1970. After a whirlwind romance of 9 months, they were married at Church of the Holy Cross in Dallas, Texas. She left Texas for Canberra, Australia, following her husband who was working on his PhD, where she worked as head of the film and media department of the Australian National Library until she discovered she was pregnant. She became the mother of two Australian sons, Andrew (Tommy) and Aaron (Don). After returning to the US in fall 1976, she and her family lived in Dallas for one year before moving to Livermore, California, where she gave birth to Diana Mary Melissa. She attended the Episcopal Diocese of California School for Deacons. After, she felt called to become a deacon. She was ordained to the deaconate in 1985 in the Diocese of California. The family moved back to Dallas where she completed her training in hospital chaplaincy. Carol Ann moved to Houston in 1988 with husband and family where she worked as a children's librarian in an elementary school. After moving to the Clear Lake part of Houston she took care of family, her aging mother, and working as cataloger and assistant director of the library in Texas City. She retired in 2010.

Carol Ann served as a deacon in a number of Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Dallas before moving to Houston in 1988. Among the Episcopal churches in the Houston area, she served as deacon at St. Christopher's in League City, St. Paul's, Houston on Park Place, Grace in Alvin, and St. George's in Texas City. She was an excellent preacher and loved serving as deacon at the altar and in ministry to the elderly. Carol Ann also had a heart for those incarcerated whom she served through KARIOS prison ministry. She served many who needed encouragement or a helping hand as well as bringing Communion to those in nursing homes, home bound, and in hospitals.

Carol Ann was a faithful wife, mom, grandma, and friend to many. She instilled an amazing love for reading in her children and grandchildren, and many more who came to the library for 'story hour'. She thoroughly enjoyed gardening (the “Dig Here” method) and was very enthusiastic in her love for others and knew how to have fun. She had three wonderful Shih Tzu's, Harriet (Carol Ann's favorite), Herbert, and Pipsqueak.     

A celebration of life service for Carol Ann will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church at 1207 Winding Way, Friendswood TX 77546 (281) 482-7630 with Bishop Rt. Rev. Hector Monteroso and Fr. Justin Briggle officiating with Rev. Nan Doerr preaching. Carol Ann will be buried in Alvin's Oak Park Cemetery following the burial service at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. There will be a reception in Good Shepherd's Sterling Hall following the committal at the cemetery. Please come and share your stories about Carol Ann! Wear clothing which is colorful!

Flowers can be sent to Jeter Funeral Home in Friendswood. Memorial gifts should be given to “KAIROS Prison Ministry” and mailed to: Bob Crane, State Treasurer, KAIROS of Texas, PO Box 79084, Saginaw, TX 76179.

The Burial service Rite II will be live-streamed on Facebook if you are unable to attend but wish to participate remotely – just search for Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Friendswood Texas on Facebook.