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To honor and celebrate the life of Mrs. Joyce W. Mills and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Saturday, December 7, 2019.
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WHEREAS, the members of Columbus City Council extend this resolution of expression to honor the life and service of Mrs. Joyce W. Mills who passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2019.; and
WHEREAS, Joyce was born on April 27, 1935 to the late Edward and Grace (Armstead) Ward in Welch, West Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Joyce attended McDowell County, West Virginia Public Schools, graduating from Kimball High School in 1952 -she later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Business Education from Bennett College, located in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1956, as well as a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from The Ohio State University in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Joyce married the late George Mills in 1956 - the couple lived in Columbus throughout their marriage - and to this union was born a son, Edward; and
WHEREAS, Joyce enjoyed a 36-year career with the Columbus City School system - she began her career at Eastgate Elementary as a teacher, later serving as a guidance counselor at Beatty Park Elementary - she ended her career at Eastmoor High School where she served as a guidance counselor from 1970 to 1996; and
WHEREAS, Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend - Joyce was a pragmatist - a quiet disciple - moreover she was immensely proud of her family and as death approached, she counseled and comforted those around her by assuring them that, "It's all right - death is part of the life cycle;” and
WHEREAS, Joyce, a lifelong Methodist, grew up in Court Street Methodist Church, located in Welch, West Virginia - in Columbus, she was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and for many years she served as the treasurer for the church; she was also active in the United Methodist Women; and
WHEREAS, Joyce will be missed, to cherish her memory she leaves her son, Edward (Renee) Mills; two grandchildren, Edward, Jr. and Evan; sisters, Rev. Edwina Burton and Carolyn Pace; nieces, Paula Burton, Victoria (Alec) Thompson, and Edwina Burton; and a host of cousins and friends; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor and celebrate the life of Mrs. Joyce W. Mills and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Saturday, December 7, 2019.