Sandra Mills || Obituary

Sandra Mills died June 22, 2024, at 93, after a brief illness. The matriarch and rock of the Mills family was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 21, 1930, to Goldena and Gene Lowe. Sandra’s childhood was brief but eventful. She told of an encounter at a very early age with Bonnie and Clyde at the motor court her parents were running and recalled the somewhat tumultuous break up of her parents’ marriage, which resulted in Sandra’s assuming family responsibilities at an early age. However, after her mother’s remarriage, Sandra developed a loving relationship with her stepfather and through his work as an electrician during the war years, she had the opportunity to travel throughout the country from Iowa to Alaska to Texas. She had close relationships with all three parents (who remained friends throughout their lives.)

Through shared relatives, at the end of WWII, Sandra met and was swept away by Jimmie D. Mills, Jr., a young Army Air Corp veteran from Dodd City, Texas. They were married July 1,1946, and lived in Bonham, Texas, prior to moving to Paris in 1954. They reared four children against the backdrop of the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War and were married for 52 years.

While her older three children attended elementary and secondary school in Paris, Sandra was a homemaker and strong supporter of her children’s schools, serving in various offices in the East Paris Elementary School PTA. She also continued her own education, achieving a GED and later attending classes at Paris Junior College. With her older children in middle and high school and a baby at home, Sandra sought a career outside the home for the first time. After acing the required examination, Sandra became the first female letter carrier in Paris and held various positions until her retirement for health reasons in 1986. During her time with USPS, Sandra earned supervisor and postmaster certifications and was recognized for her problem-solving ideas.

Following her retirement Sandra joined her husband at Mills Realty, serving as office manager and assistant in the real estate appraisal company for many years. After the office was closed due to the illness of her husband, Sandra devoted her time to caring for him until his death due to ALS in 1998. Afterwards, Sandra did not stay idle; she assisted her daughter DeeDee Alsup with textbook presentations across the state, mentored students at the school where her daughter Missi Downs taught and served as an officer in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

As a true believer in the importance of education, she instilled in her children a love of learning. She was most proud that all her children earned advanced degrees. An avid reader and lifelong learner, Sandra was a frequent visitor to the Paris Public Library, and, when she could no longer see to read, relied on audiobooks from the library. When she was unable to drive, her much-loved daughter-in-law Donna Mills, stepped in and

ensured that library trips, shopping, and appointments were always made. She was also a loving, but no-nonsense grandmother to her nine grandchildren and doted on her dogs—whose needs always came first.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie D. Mills, Jr., brother Gene “Bud” Lowe, her mother Goldena Davis Lowe Falck, Father Eugene “Gene” M. Lowe, stepfather Alvin “Swede” Falck, and grandson Bradley C. Scott. She is survived by her son Col. Jim G. Mills, USAF Ret. and wife Donna of Honey Grove, TX; daughter Dr. Leigh S. Scott of San Antonio, TX; daughter Deirdre “DeeDee” Alsup of Dallas, TX; and daughter Marisa “Missi” Downs and husband Downy of Paris, TX. She is also survived by grandson Bryan Scott and wife Briony of The Woodlands, TX; granddaughter C.J. and husband Chris Hosek of Austin, TX; granddaughter Fancy and husband Kevin Knebel of Lakeway, TX; grandson Major Jim Mills III, USAF, Ret. and wife Jennifer of Smyrna, GA; grandson Ben Alsup and wife Paula of Paris, TX; grandson Andy Alsup of Dallas, TX; granddaughter Dara and husband Zac Williams of Dallas, TX; and grandson Dace Downs and wife Carmen of Kingsbury, TX. She also leaves 9 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 27 to 2.

The family would like to thank Brandi and Tiara from Embark Care, and Brittnei and other caregivers from Platinum Hospice for their kindness and consideration during Sandra’s last few months of life, and to Richard and Carla Eastman, her neighbors, for their helpfulness, care and concern for many years.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your local animal shelter, food bank, or favorite charity are encouraged. A Celebration of Life will be held at Heritage Hall in Paris, on July 10th from 7 to 9 o’clock. All family and friends are invited to attend.