Billie Bess Mills

Billie Bess Mills, 89, August 4, 1935 - April 23, 2025 Billie Bess Mills was born in Paris, Texas to James & Bessie Lowry. As a child her family moved to Amarillo, Tx where she later attended Palo Duro High School. While still a student, she met Jimmy Mills, who became the love of her life and her husband of 59 years. Billie and Jimmy married in Clovis, New Mexico on July 7, 1956.

After moving to Garland, TX, they gave birth to five children over the next several years, giving Billie her life’s work and passion of being a mother. In addition to the love and care she gave her own children she cared for countless other children of friends, family members and volunteered her time in children’s ministry at the churches she attended. In retirement they moved to Memphis, TX where Billie served as president of the senior center and was a member of many social groups. After her husband’s passing, Billie moved to Garland to be closer to her children.

Billie passed away on April 23, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family who will miss her everyday. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Mills, Jr., her parents, James Carter and Bessie Vera Lowry, her brother, Robert Carter Lowry, and her son, Jay Carter Mills. She is survived by her son, James Henry Mills, III of Garland, TX, daughter, Sherri Lynn Green of Kingston, OK, daughter, Deborah Kay and Chuck Cawthon of Garland, TX, and son Billy Dean and Susan Mills of Wylie, TX. Grandchildren: Misty Mills, Donald Hall, Amanda Fine, Holly Yosenick (Tom), Jason Mills, Christopher Mills (Jennifer), Steven Mills, CJ Mills, Dianna O’Connor (Chris), and Amanda Poe (Mason) as well as 21 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. 

The Memorial Service will be held at the Hayes Center of Lavon Drive Baptist Church in Garland on Sat, at 11:00am. May 10, 2025. 

In honor of their mother’s love of children, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.