Anna E. Mills, Women's Army Corps, WWII Veteran

Anna (Majewski) Mills  was born December 24, 1918 at South River, New Jersey and passed away September 7, 2012 at Killeen, Texas at the age of 93.

Anna, the eldest of 12 children, was raised and educated in South River.  Upon graduation she attended The Girl's Vocational School of South River, majoring in cooking, sewing and home nursing.  She later worked as a Parachute Flare Assembler and as a Cigar Making Machine Operator.


In 1943 she joined the Women's Army Corps of the United States Army.  She served honorably during WWII as an Airplane Electrical Mechanic.

Anna married Clyde Mills on December 27, 1948.  Upon his retirement from the United States Army they settled with their family in Killeen.  Clyde passed away on October 23, 1966.

On September 14, an inurnment service was held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, just south of Killeen.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the gathered family and friends during the service.

As a light rain fell, the Minister told of Anna's love of laughter and of cooking.  He told of her Polish heritage and of how she enjoyed making cabbage rolls with her daughter-in-law.


 He read from the book of John, chapter 14.

1.  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2.  In my Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. 

3.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  

4.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

He then led the family in final prayers.

The Army Honor Guard rendered military honors.  The bugler played taps, as all stood at attention.  The American flag that had rested next to the urn was unfolded and carefully refolded into the traditional triangle, and presented to Anna's daughter, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for her honorable and faithful service.

The daughter carried the urn to the columbarium wall, where she placed it into a niche of the wall, and it was sealed for all of time.

Left to cherish Anna's memory are her daughter, two sons, four grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family has graciously requested that in lieu of flowers, monetary donations be made to The Patriot Guard Riders of Texas in memory of Anna Mills, to be delivered to Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, Texas 76542.

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you

For a little while-

Please do not grieve

And shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you

Through the years,

But start out bravely

With a gallant smile;

Feed not your loneliness

On empty days,

But fill each waking hour

In useful ways,

Reach out your hand

In comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you

And hold you near;

And never, never

Be afraid to die,

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

Helen Steiner Rice

With thanks to Crawford-Bowers for biographical information and photograph.