Jean Ann Mills

Jean Ann Mills, 88, died August 10, 2020 after a brief illness in the mountains of western North Carolina.   She and her family were grateful that she was able to live her life up until the end and to be in the mountains that she loved.  She was born in Cincinnati where she lived most of her life, and was the daughter of Mildred and Jacob Federman, both from German immigrant families. 

Soon after high school she married Howard Mills and they shared 62 years together.  They had four children (Steve, Mike, Tom and Donna), eight grandchildren (Kelly, Amy, Emily, Anna, Jacob, Luke, Lauren and Kathryn) and six great-grandchildren (Cole, LJ, Elise, Nate, Lorelei and Elliott).   Steve’s wife Laurie and Donna’s husband Russ were central to Jean’s life.

Jean lived a full life and enjoyed her family, her work, being outdoors, traveling, cooking and especially handwork that included knitting and quilting.  She and Howard loved to fish and spent many days together on the water enjoying the beauty of nature, quiet reflection and a thermos of coffee. 

During retirement she gave a number of years caring for her young grandchildren, and then later helped care for her mother at the end of her life.  She loved to cook, and Thanksgiving was always her favorite time of the year.  She would spend many days getting ready for the big get-together.  She loved being surrounded by her family and sharing together with them.

In the last years of her life Jean and Howard moved to North Carolina.  When she was widowed in 2013 and her health slowed her down, her family enjoyed helping and supporting her, being with her and sharing with her in their many holidays, celebrations and chili days that she particularly looked forward to. 

Her faith was especially important to her, and through all of the ups and downs, she held each of her children and family members in prayer and always in her heart.  She loved the words of the Psalm that reminded her to lift her eyes to the hills, from where her help came. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services with be limited and private.  Interment will be at Spring Grove Cemetery.  

A Family Memorial service can be viewed by family and friends by clicking the link below.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Jean Mills be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock North Carolina 28731.