Myrth Ann Mills

She was born February 12, 1950, in Queens, New York, to Willard and Maxine Johansen. Myrth attended BYU where she met and married Michael Bruce Mills, and lived in Illinois for a few years before settling in Kingsport, TN. She later earned her degree in elementary education from ETSU and dedicated many years to teaching at Kennedy Elementary School until her retirement.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Myrth served in numerous leadership roles throughout her life, especially in the primary and the young women’s program. She loved to work with the youth. She was a beloved religious teacher for teenagers for over a decade, finding great joy in teaching seminary and sharing her deep love with them for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Myrth loved music and was a beloved member of The Cantemus Women’s Choir and the Voices of the Mountains. At BYU she played percussion in the marching band. She also played the piano and organ for church and was the director of many church choirs. She instilled a love of music in her children and grandchildren, always encouraging them in their musical pursuits.

She loved to travel. In recent years she traveled to Greece with her choir, to Guatemala for a humanitarian trip, and then took a sight-seeing tour of Peru.

Service was at the heart of who Myrth was. She served a local service mission with her husband Mike, from 2016-2017, and spent many years volunteering at Kitchen of Hope preparing food for the homeless of Kingsport. Another of her many joys was to be a key organizer of the food for the Church’s annual Girl’s Camp.

Myrth is survived by her husband, Michael B. Mills, their 7 children; Melanie Francis(Clint), Michael W. Mills(Nicole), Mark Mills(Stacy), Matthew Mills(Christine), Moroni Mills(Deborah), Mandy Polk(Josh), and John Mills(Claire); Her 31 grandchildren and 2, almost 3 great-grandchildren, and her 3 siblings; John Johansen(Jaqueline), Jill Hixson(Robben), and Leilani Shepherd; She is preceded in death by her parents Willard and Maxine Johansen.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday March 29, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 100 Canongate Rd, Kingsport, TN. The service will also be broadcast at this link: https://zoom.us/j/99234330632

Following the service, the family will greet friends and loved ones. In honor of Myrth, all are invited to wear something yellow (her favorite color). In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests canned food donations be brought to the service and they will be delivered to Kitchen of Hope.

Myrth will be remembered for her radiant smile, boundless love, serving heart, gentle spirit, and the positive mark she left on the world. Her legacy of faith, kindness, love, and music will continue to inspire generations to come.