Obituary of Paula Kay Mills

On November 15, 2015, the passing of Paula “Kay” Mills made the world sadder and the heavens brighter. She was the very spoiled baby girl of Pauline Snelson and Arley Todd. Her two older siblings, Fay Mills and Ronald Todd loved her fiercely, although before they brought her home, Ronald did ask if they could trade her in for a red headed boy. Being her parent’s baby girl had its’ perks, around 1950, her Dad took her to a fireworks stand where she ended up buying $50 worth of fireworks, because, “he just wanted to see how much she’d spend.” She was curious her entire life and told a story about intentionally setting fire to her grandparent’s bedroom curtains. When her Mother came back and tried to discipline her, her grandparents said she didn’t mean to… but she’d tell you she did mean to…just wanted to see what would happen. She met the love of her life, Orville Lee Mills, at age 9. Her sister, Fay had married Orville’s brother Ray and as Ray liked to say, “Pauline managed to find 2 dummies in the same family.” She married Orville on December 1, 1958, after being proposed to in a letter. All Kay ever wanted to be was a wife and mother and in 1961 she delivered a baby girl, Debra Kay Mills (Younger), and in 1963 another girl, Sherry Lee Mills (Anderson), their family was complete. Kay took being a housewife to an entirely different level, making breakfast each morning, packing Orville’s lunch, and supper on the table when he came home, Budgeting, housekeeping, yardwork, everything so all Orville had to worry about was making a living for their family. Although at times she didn’t make this easy as he did have to quit an out of town job because Kay called him crying that she missed him. She was avid about teaching her girls that everyone is equal and should be treated with respect. She never lost her child like spirit and could often be found sitting on the floor playing jacks with their girls when Orville came home. Even in her retirement years she could still be seen dancing and singing around her house. When their girls were raised she decided to go back to school and obtained a degree in Business Administration while working her way from a volunteer receptionist to the Director of Administration of Legal Services of Northeastern Oklahoma. While working downtown, she usually had a cheese sandwich in her purse for the homeless people because she couldn’t stand the thought of someone being hungry. In 1985 she left Legal Services to manage the office in her husband’s new paint company, Traditional Decorators. And then eventually opened Kay’s Home Fashions in Coweta. The next phase of Kay’s life was the one she relished the most, being a Nanna. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Her first grandchild was Kandi, who was handicapped from birth and Kay made it her duty to make sure she was always heard, even though she was non-verbal. Her and Orville even built a room in the back of their paint shop so that she could go to Little Light House. Anything her family needed, her and Orville would find a way to provide. Even up until last week, Kay continued to help care for Kandi so her daughter could go back to school. Although Kay is not physically here with us, the love her family felt from her will never die. She had a natural ability to make others feel loved and wanted. Her sensitivity to the feelings of others was such that you couldn't hide an emotion around her without getting caught. The person trying to quietly hide at the back of a filled room would find an outstretched hand and an eager ear in her. She would also be the first to speak up in any scenario where someone seemed to be being treated unfairly. Those she had a hand in raising will certainly spread their Nanna seeds wherever they go, but even those of you that just knew her as a friend won't be able to avoid the subtle "Kay-ness" that will inevitably affect your actions and spread through their consequences. It was truly a blessing to be loved by her. Some words of wisdom that she passed on were: Your credibility is your most valuable thing you own, it is much easier to keep than to get it back; Family is EVERYTHING; and Money is never a reason for not doing the right thing. No words can heal this wound, and if time can, there will inevitably be quite a scar remaining. But, if we hold ourselves to a higher standard to honor this incredible woman, perhaps together we can accomplish something worthy of her. But no matter what, we can't escape, that we miss you Momma, Nanna, Kay. More than you'd be okay with. We miss you. Although her parents died many years ago, she never quit missing them. Charged with carrying on her spirit is her husband of 57 years, Orville Mills, 2 daughters and their spouses, Debi Younger and her husband Andy and Sherry Anderson and her husband Nick (whom Kay loved like a son). 4 grandchildren and their spouses that she considered hers too…. Damon and Brianna Daulton, Chelsea and Brandon Blankenship, Caelan and Amanda Matney, and her forever baby girl Kandi. . Her sister and her husband, Fay and Ray Mills, her brother and his wife Ronald and Christine Todd, her brother-in-law and his wife, Bud and Nona Mills, and a host of nieces and nephews. It would be a gross oversight to not end this tribute to Kay by again mentioning the love fairy tale of Kay and Orville. After 57 years it was still common to see one of them pinch the other one if they bent over. Their open PDA’s could still make their daughter’s blush. A love this strong transcends mortal boundries. They are the example that everyone should aspire to have with their spouse. Viewing will be from 9 AM - 8 PM on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Wright-Brown Family Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating Kay's life will be at 2 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at the Coweta Church of God of Prophecy in Coweta, OK with Pastor Larry Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Vernon Cemetery in Coweta. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to the family online at www.brownfamilyfuneralhome.com The family of Kay Mills entrusted her care and services to Wright-Brown Family Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, 918-486-5515.