Betty Graham Mills

As a result of her parent’s sicknesses and untimely deaths, Betty was adopted by her loving Uncle Henry and Aunt Wilma Graham of East Orange, NJ. Upon graduating from East Orange High School, she at¬tended and graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC. It was there, she met and got engaged to William (Bill) Mills on July 22, 1955. They married on February 12, 1956. Their union was blessed by four children; Kevin, Wilma, Gretchen and Laurie. They were further blessed with seven grandchildren and the family is still growing through great-grandchildren.

Betty first worked as an Assistant Librarian at D.C. Teacher’s College (now the University of the District of Columbia). She acquired her Masters Degree at Bowie State College, Bowie, MD and did the coursework for her Ph.D. at George Washington University, Washington, DC. Her love for educating children led her to become a teacher in the D.C. Public School System at Merritt Elementary and Kenilworth Elementary, respectively for over 28 years. She was once honored as Teacher of the Year at Kenilworth Elementary; the children of her then students still keep in touch with her.

After a rewarding career of teaching generations manners, reading and writing, she retired from being an educator in 1993. Bill passed in November 1990. Years later, she met Clarence Mills who became a loving companion until his death. Betty led an active retirement - traveling with relatives, old friends and new friends in the Cameron Grove community. She truly enjoyed activities with her friends as an avid traveler, a pinochle and Scrabble player, attending her book club and being a Bible study participant.

Betty loved attending Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church and the various minister and her church family. She has been a member since 1983 and was baptized by Reverend Mamie Williams. Reverend Constance Smith funeralized Betty’s husband, Bill Mills in December of 1990.

At one time, she was Secretary of the History Committee and a Volunteer for the Food Pantry in PG County, MD, where her family resided. Betty was also PTA President in the D.C. Public Schools and in PG County, MD while her children were attending there. She is most proud of her daughter, Laurie and grandchild, Tiara for following in her footsteps as educators. She was one of the Founders of the American Cancer Society, PG County Chapter. She was also a faithful club member of The Squaws, Inc. (now, The Charms, Inc.).

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grands in Maryland, as well as her extended family members in Georgia, Michigan and New York. Betty’s memory will forever shine like a beacon of inspiration. Truly a people person, Betty loved everybody and was loved by many.

A visitation for Betty will be held Monday, November 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Hughes Memorial Methodist Church, 25 53rd St NE, Washington, DC 20019. A celebration of life will occur Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM. A service of committal and interment will occur Monday, November 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Mills family.