Katherine Mills

Katherine Bess Mills was born January 28, 1951 in Floresville, TX and passed away in her Floresville home on June 17, 2024 at the age of 73 years old.

She was the daughter of Nick Kolenda Sr. And Ella Bess Christa Kolenda.  She had two brothers, Nick Jr. and Joseph Robert (Joe Bob), and 2 sisters, Jo Ann Coggeshall and Ella Kay Peterson.  Kathy was raised in Floresville TX, and lived all of her life there!

In 1968, Terry Mills caught her eye at a St. Hedwig dance when her best friend Sally had a date with him, and Sally didn’t care for him, but Kathy liked him!  After that, they became a couple and on April 5, 1969, they were married.

In 1970, their first child, Justin Lee Mills was born.  They named him after Justin Boots!  Aaron Wade (based on a bank customer who was really nice to Kathy) Mills was born to the family in 1973, and Matthew Langley (the Langley middle name was because he was real long) was  born in 1978.  Kathy picked Biblical first names for them due to her growing passion for the LORD.

Her passion for the LORD began when Kathy was 9 years old.  She made her profession of faith when a pastor at First Baptist Church had an alter call, and she walked up by the windows a little afraid.  Bill Smith noticed her and took her to the pastor!  That same boldness for the LORD stayed with Kathy throughout her life.  Whether it was inviting family members to come hear about Jesus at family gatherings or discussing Jesus with friends at Bible Studies, Kathy was always ready to share Jesus.

In Mark 12: 30-31, when asked the greatest commandments, Jesus says “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Kathy lived her life exemplifying these two commandments.  She never knew a stranger.  She loved everyone.  She showed this love by serving others by being a wonderful hostess.  She had a knack for having everything covered and made her guest alway feel “special”.  Kathy loved cooking for others, and as her son Aaron said, “she was a great cook!”

Another way Kathy made people feel treasured and loved was by finding them the “perfect” gift.  Not just any old thing, but something unique that really said “I know you enough to know what you would like.”

She also served the LORD and others by teaching Sunday School.  While Kathy was at the  Rehab  Center, Terri Tackitt, a caregiver told Terry she remembered Kathy teaching her in Sunday School!

Being a great gardener and  a wonderful decorator were other strengths that Kathy possessed.  Her flowers were always beautiful, and she often used them to decorate her home.

Kathy was a beautiful loving talented lady that we will all miss!

Kathy is survived by her husband Terry L. Mills; her sons Justin Lee Mills, and wife Nina of Poth,  Aaron Wade Mills and wife Diane of San Antonio, and Matthew Langley Mills of Floresville; her grandchildren Mason Mills and wife Makayla of Georgetown,  Madeline Mills of Poth, Ella Katherine Mills of San Antonio, John Travis (JT) Mills of San Antonio, Tyler Matthew Mills Sr.  and wife Autumn of St Mary’s GA, Christina Mills; her great grandchildren Ronnie Mills of Colorado, and Tyler Matthew Mills Jr. of  St Mary’s GA, her sisters Jo Ann Coggeshall of Floresville, Ella Kay Peterson and husband, Don of Loudon TN; and her brother-in-laws Ronnie Mills and wife Rosanne of San Antonio, and Eddy Mills and Sylvia of San Antonio.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, June 21, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Floresville.  A service will begin at 10:00 am and interment will directly follow at Sutherland Springs Cemetery.