Debra Mills

On August 22, 2016, the Lord called one of his good and faithful servants home. This world lost a loyal friend, loving mother and devoted wife. Debra Lynn Kelly was born on May 15, 1954 in Bainbridge, Maryland. Debbie and her four siblings spent their younger years in Florida. After the passing of her beloved mother, Debbie moved to Newark, Delaware where her sister Judy lovingly stepped in to raise her. While in high school, Debbie met Doug Mills, the man who would eventually become her husband. Much to the dismay of her siblings, Doug and Debbie made their home in Southeast Texas. The two moved to Port Arthur where Debbie managed the Château Orleans apartments and Doug worked at Gulf Oil/Chevron.

After the birth of their children, the couple moved to Bridge City where Debbie created a magical childhood for her two daughters, Carrie and Kelly. Debbie taught her daughters that fairies live on dandelions, the Easter Bunny lives on the moon and a fireplace always makes the perfect stage. As her daughters grew, Debbie was their biggest supporter through all their endeavors. (Although she wasn’t the most enthusiastic sports fan). Debbie created a home full of laughter where all of her children's friends felt unconditionally loved and welcomed. Even after her daughters left home, when they returned, a group of their friends could still be found sitting on the floor in Debbie's kitchen and raiding her pantry.

After being chased from Bridge City by Hurricane Ike, Doug and Debbie made their home in Owasso, Oklahoma and then Montgomery, Texas. Through these moves, Doug and Debbie continued their love story and gained treasured friends along the way. In March of 2014, Debbie was promoted from mom to Nana. Debbie's eyes lit up at just the mention of Quinn's name and the obsession was mutual.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 40 years Doug Mills, daughter Carrie Gilcrease, son-in-law Aaron Gilcrease, granddaughter Quinn Kelly Gilcrease, daughter Kelly Hoke, son-in-law James Hoke, siblings Libby Kaplan, Ronnie Kelly and Michael Kelly, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is proceeded in death by her sister Judy Fleetwood and mother Doris Kelly.

Visitation will occur on Sunday, August 28, from 5-8 PM and the funeral will be Monday, August 29, at 11 AM. Both will occur at Forest Park Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas.

In honor of both Debbie's brave fight against cancer and her love of children, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation at alexslemonade.org to support pediatric cancer research.