Merice Mills
Josie Merice Mills, 80, of Beaumont, died Sunday, May 18, 2025. She was born on December 18, 1944, in Beaumont to Clara Mildred Myers Mills and Dr. Edmund Dumas Mills.
Merice Mills spent her early childhood (early post-war period) in Beaumont, Texas, with her special needs sister, Kate Galatian Mills (1942-2001). Merice’s older brother and sister were already emerging adults when her mother’s older sister, Josie Merice Myers Yost, took in Merice and Kate while their mother, Clara Myers Mills (1912-1962) was an invalid (1946-1962) and while their father, Ed Mills M.D., (1892-1953) was working doctor’s hours. Merice, her Uncle George, and her Aunt Josie (“Mom” to Merice) lived in Greece during Merice’s middle school years, and then returned to Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
Merice graduated from Prairie Grove High School in 1962; she then attended historic Monticello College (formerly Monticello Female College) in Godfrey, Illinois where she earned an Associate in Arts (voice) degree, graduating in 1965.
She then moved to New York, where she furthered her operatic studies, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from New York University in New York, NY (1970), and performed at numerous churches and vocal events, while supporting herself with employment at law firms, at the Helena Rubinstein Foundation (scholarships for women); and at The Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation providing grants to (Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc. medical assistance to people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and breast cancer in over 70 countries).
In 1986, Merice moved from New York back to the family farm in Prairie Grove, Arkansas to care for her sister, Kate and her aunt, Josie until her aunt/”Mom’s” death in 1992.
Kate was then placed in an assisted senior adult living facility near Katy, TX; and, Merice returned to “work outside the home.”
Merice found a staff position at the University of Arkansas in 1994 in the general counsel’s office, until 2004 when she moved back to her birthplace in Texas to live near her remaining sibling, while working for law and healthcare practices, and singing in St. Mark’s choir.
Merice had memberships in the Colonel George Moffett chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) and in the Southeast Texas Association of Legal Assistants (SETALA).
Survivors include her sister, Joedna Mills Smyth; nephews, Ed Touchet (Caroline) and John Walter Touchet, Aaron Smyth, nieces, Clara Touchet Malina and Edie Touchet Cherubino, and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, a great-great niece; and several fur babies.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clara Myers Mills and Dr. Edmund Mills; her brother, Tully F. “Ike” Mills II; and her sister, Kate Galatian Mills.
A memorial service for Miss Mills will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77705, Donation Link; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or a charity of one’s choice.
Memorial Service
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
- 680, Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- August 9, 2025
- 2:00 pm
Merice was a dear friend and a valued employee. She will be forever missed! She was an inspiration; always smiling, even as her health declined. She was thoughtful of others, and insisted I meet her niece Clara’s puppy when I lost my dog to cancer. After about 5 minutes, Tully came home with me, where he has been by my side for the last seven years. He is a loving tribute to Merice’s compassion and her love of animals. Whether we were greeting trick-or-treaters on Halloween, watching the sailing regatta in Galveston, or at work, Merice was a joy to be around.
As an employee Merice brought her professional demeanor and skills to my office. With her assistance, I was able to grow my small counseling practice to the successful service that I enjoy today. Her clerical office is still referred to as “Merice’s Office.” As I frequently told her, we were a good team!
My condolences to all of her family and friends. Merice will be missed by us all!
Merice was a long time tax client of the local CPA firm Lawrence, Blackburn, Meek & Maxey. I always enjoyed visiting with her and her sister Joedna! She had one of a kind dry sense of humor and we will miss her! Rest in peace Merice. Sending prayers of comfort to the family.
This is a beautiful tribute to her wonderful life. She will be missed.
Merice and I have been friends for many years.
We have had so many good times and a lot of laughs. I guess the best way to describe us, would be Ethyl Mert and Lucy Ricardo from the I Love Lucy Show. She called me one day and ask me to ride to Dayton ,Texas with her. She said, bring your leather work gloves. I need you to help me catch a cat.
She said, Oh Brenda, there’s a cat that lives at Dairy Queen and I want it. Upon arriving at Dairy Queen, Merice said , get ready, there’s the cat. When I opened the car door, the cat ran under the
dumpster. She says Well… you scared the cat ! It is all your fault ! My sarcastic reply, I understand I am thin, but I cannot crawl under a dumpster and drag the cat out.
One evening in December she called and asked what are you doing? I replied nothing, come on out. When she entered, my Halloween bat that was hanging in the foyer got her. She pulled it down and hung it on the Christmas Tree. She said remember me ( An Old Bat) Well, from that year
going forward the bat is hung first, tied with a pink bow.
Merice was a loving person, and very giving,
She had a heart of gold.
In life many people cross your path, but very few
will leave a foot print in your heart. Merice, you left
one in mine. I will miss our hair brain ideas and the
laughs we had.
Sing Ava Maria for the angels.
Love you, Brenda
I want to extend our sincerest sympathies from the Yost family in Georgia on the loss of Merice. While distance and time kept us apart over the years, she always made an effort to stay in touch with me and my brother, Tim—something we truly appreciated. I’ll always remember her as this cool, warm-hearted relative who left a lasting impression. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Joedna, so sorry for the loss of your sister. Remember the good times, for there were many. God Bless you.
Joedna – So sorry to learn of the loss of your sister. May you be comforted in the knowledge that her memory will be a blessing. Miss you and love you always. pb
We met at NYU in 1968 and became instant friends. Her smile was infectious, as was her voice. Merice had a beautiful singing voice that made people cry.
She was kind, generous and extremely funny. She will be missed.
Sincerely,
Nancy Mitchell
Merice was like a sister to me. We shared many hours of laughter and music together. She is leading the soprano section of the heavenly choir. Hope to sing a duet with you up there someday. Save my place!
My sincere condolences to Merice’s family. She was a long time friend I’ve known since our days spent at Prairie Grove schools in Prairie Grove , Arkansas. She was very talented which showed in her beautiful operatic singing voice. And in various artistic facets. She was generous to a fault and loved her family and her pets including dogs, cats and parrots, parakeets and cockatiels . After returning to Arkansas after a successful career in New York City to care for her elderly Aunt, we had many fun enjoyable adventures on drives around the countryside and lunches with her aunt Josie and my aging mother. She loved finding new flowers to plant which made the Yost home gardens delightful to look at. Merice will be missed by many who knew her here in PG . Rest in Peace my friend
Marye,
Your tribute was lovely. Your still life paintings were greatly enjoyed in her home for many years. And now we have her portrait in your words!
Joedna
Joedna,
Could you send me your contact information. Is your sister’s memorial on Sat, August 9th at St Mark’s? I want to
Come as the representative of the DAR!!
Celia Crittenden
713 582-6663
francelia5151@gmail.com
I am representing the Colonel George Moffett chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We are sincerely sorry about the death of Merice and hope her family is doing as good as can be expected.
Very fondly,
Celia Crittenden
Celia,
Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for mentioning the Colonel George Moffett chapter of D.A.R.
We look forward to reading further remembrances so that her friends and family can enjoy learning about Merice’s many endeavors. A multi-faceted sister!
I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to her dear sister Joedna and family. Merice was wonderful person with such an open heart. We served together in St. Mark’s Altar Guild, a service we both loved. May the Lord grant her rest.
Thank you, Ninette.
I hadn’t thought about Merice’s altar guild service in a long time. Sweet memory.
Thanks, Ninette.
I hadn’t thought about Merice’s altar guild service in a long time. Sweet memory.