Martha Ellen Bybee Mills, 93, passed away July 05, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. Born November 16, 1928, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Dr. Halbert Pleasant Bybee and Ruth Woolery Bybee, she was preceded in death by her husband Herbert Gordon Mills, her parents, and her brothers Henry, Halbert, Robert, and Wilbur.
Martha graduated from Austin High School in 1945. She then graduated in 1949 from The University of Texas with a BS in Geology, following in her father's footsteps, a distinguished geology professor at The University. Martha worked as a geologist for Humble Oil from 1949 to 1959 until she married her husband, Herbert. They had been married 56 years when he passed away in 2016.
Martha was a devoted wife and mother, raising three children and moving multiple times through the early years of marriage while keeping a happy and comfortable home for the family. She developed her interests in the decorative arts, paintings, and early American furniture by attending classes at museums in New York City and Houston. She grew in her knowledge and interest in the arts through her volunteer work as a docent at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens for 40 years. Martha was also a loyal member of the Kappa Kappa Gama sorority, developing lifelong friendships from her early years through her active participation in the Houston alumni organization. She stitched many needlepoint Santas and Christmas tree pillows to support their philanthropic efforts and participated in book clubs, travel excursions, and social events. Additionally, she volunteered at The Brookwood Community for disabled adults, was active in her parish of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston and supported the school and parish of St. Pius X in San Antonio. Martha always enjoyed travel, good food, and good friends.
Over the years, Martha enjoyed watching her family grow, marry and have children. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren's adventures and encouraged and supported them in their education and travels.
After leaving Houston in 2016, the Inn at Los Patios became her new home, where she made many new friends with whom she enjoyed dining and socializing over Nickels, Bridge, and Pokeno. Many knew her for her love of feeding the birds.
Martha is survived by her daughter Ruth and husband Mark Oordt, and sons Herbert G. Mills, Jr. and wife Cindy and Peter B. Mills and wife Cheryl; grandchildren Andrew and wife Emily, Martha Rose, Carol, Ellen and Catherine Oordt, Anne Marie, Christopher, Molly and husband Michael Pritulsky, and Matthew Mills, Joseph Varga and wife Sarah, Alissa Varga and husband, Jonathan Ashby. She has five great-grandchildren and one on the way.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 10 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3907 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas. Burial will follow at 11:30 am at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marbridge Foundation (marbridge.org), an amazing community for disabled adults where Martha's granddaughter Anne Marie Mills lives. Most importantly, hug your loved ones!
