Jean Ann Mills

Jean Ann Houser Mills was a lovely example of the Proverbs 31 woman. On February 16, 2015, after a courageous ten-year battle with COPD, Jean left this earthly life to join Jesus in Heaven. Born in Covina, California in 1924 to Harold and Lucy Houser, Jean was an only child. Her family, Houser Brothers, was involved in orange growing and design of farm manufacturing equipment. The Housers were on the board for Bank of America and pioneers of telephone services in So Cal and original investors to create LaVerne College. Her father, a WWI veteran and expert mechanic, pursued electronics. He had one of the first radio and electrical shops in the state. Jean loved telling stores about her great-grandfather solving math equations for the local universities, her turtle Amos wandering the orange grove, and her father’s dry sense of humor. Her enterprising family challenged Jean to develop her creative spirit and her vivacious and loving demeanor came from her mother, Lucy. An energetic and dynamic young woman, Jean was an excellent student and involved in school journalism and accomplished at tennis. Jean graduated from Covina High School and continued at UC Berkeley, earning a degree in Social Sciences. She wrote for the Daily Cal and belonged to Delta Zeta sorority. Upon graduation, Jean obtained an emergency teaching credential and took a position at Weed High School as the Algebra & PE Teacher. Jean was popular with the students due to her strong sense of purpose, leadership, and her sense of style. Elizabeth Mills, a colleague, introduced Jean to her brother, Robert. In 1949 Jean was married to Robert Mills and became the bride of a cattle rancher. Mills Ranch, established in 1853, was quite an endeavor for them to manage. They immediately started a family and together have seven children. Jean supported Robert in all ways a wife can love and support her husband. She managed the home, children’s activities, and provided diligent finance and bookkeeping for the ranch and home for over 50 years. Jean was also the ranch chef, delivering trailside hot meals many local cowpokes will recall. Jean served on the School Board, PTA, 4-H committees, and enjoyed keeping the Little League stats book. She was always there for her children, the community and her friends and you could always count on a warm and delicious dinner on the table for her family and any visitors that wandered in. As the children grew, Jean kept active caring for her Grandson, Bobby, and her hobbies included rock hunting, lapidary work, jewelry making, leather tooling, tennis, antique collecting, reading and crosswords. Jean also enjoyed golf. Robert and Jean could often be found on the course together on Sunday afternoon, the one-day a ranch rests. Jean lost Robert in 1991 and began a new page in her life. She took to travel, including Mexico, several cruises, Disneyland with her children and a trip to Europe. Jean was active in her local church and enjoyed their fellowship. As her health declined, she became more home bound, but continued to stay in touch friends and enjoyed the visits of her children and grand children. Jean is survived by six of her children, John Mills, Barbara Luiz (Leonard), Susan Silveira (Michael), Mary Corippo (Carl), Daniel Mills (Brianne) and Christina Brenn (Tim). The eldest daughter, Joanne Perry (Norman), passed in 1998. Jean leaves behind 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a group of sweet friends. Graveside services will be held Saturday February 28th beginning at noon at the Edgewood Cemetery followed by a memorial at Lake Shastina Bible Church in Edgewood. Jean had heart for the military and veterans. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project to honor Jean’s memory.

Jean Ann Mills

November 1, 1924 - February 16, 2015