Terry Opal Mills

Terry Opal Mills, 79, of Magnolia, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after a long illness. She was born on August 1, 1947, in San Diego, California, to Fred Hager and Berniece Marie (Mills) Hager.  Her family later returned to Montana, where Terry grew up and graduated from Conrad High School in 1965.

 

Terry married Michael W. “Mike” Mills on November 27, 1965. Together, they shared more than 60 years of marriage and a lifetime of experiences through many seasons and places.  They lived in the Dutton, Montana area and Washington state before returning to Great Falls, Montana, where they raised their children, Brett and Staci.

 

Terry spent much of her children’s early years as a homemaker before beginning a career in education. She worked for the Great Falls School District and later in the Billings school system, spending much of her career as a para-assistant in special education.  She found great joy in working with the students in her care, and her years in the schools connected her with countless students, families, and colleagues. Her work in education was a treasured time for her.

 

In 2016, Terry and Mike moved to the Houston area to be closer to their children and their families. Although Texas became home, Montana never stopped holding a special place in Terry’s heart. She missed its people, its mountains, and the familiar places that had been part of so much of her life.

 

Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks were among her favorite places. Some especially treasured memories were made during adventures there with her children and grandchildren.  Terry loved sharing the beauty of Montana and those special places with the next generations of her family. She was also a proud Montana Grizzlies football fan, especially with both Staci and Brett having attended the University of Montana.  Over the years, she and Mike traveled to cheer on the Griz, combining her love of Montana, football, family, and the fun of following the team.

 

Being a Grandma and Great Grandma brought Terry tremendous joy.  She was a devoted grandmother who attended as many games, dance recitals, school activities, and other events as she possibly could.  From football fields and rugby pitches to dance recitals, her grandchildren could count on Grandma to be there, watching proudly from the sidelines and waiting afterward with a smile and a hug.

 

Terry was tough and determined, qualities that became especially evident during her years of battling cancer and facing other health challenges.  Even when her health made things difficult, she remained determined to participate in life and to be present for the events and moments that mattered to her. She faced those challenges with a strength and persistence that were very much a part of who she was.

 

Terry also loved gardening and took great pleasure in tending to her plants and watching things grow.  She was a wonderful cook and baker, and the things she made became part of the memories and traditions surrounding her family.  Whether for a family gathering, a holiday, or an ordinary day, food was one of the ways Terry shared something of herself with the people she loved.

 

She also had a special place in her heart for her dogs and loved caring for them and having them by her side.  Over the years, Maggie, Gizmo, and Bo were among those especially dear to her, bringing companionship and plenty of their own memories to Terry’s life.

 

Terry is survived by her husband, Mike Mills; her sister, Gail Hager of Great Falls, Montana; her son, Brett and daughter-in-law, Sonya Mills of Magnolia, Texas; her daughter, Staci and son-in-law, Luke Snellman of Magnolia, Texas; her grandchildren, Conor and Chelsea, Riley and Aaron, Sgt. Keegan and Marlaina, Shaelyn, Alea and Trace; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Jackson, Carolyn Ann ("Annie"), and Grant.

 

The family will gather privately for a memorial at a future date.  In her memory, they invite those who knew Terry and Mike to honor her in a way she would appreciate:   share the fun stories, remember the adventures and experiences of their many years together, and laugh about the moments that became part of the story of Mike and Terry.  Those stories, and the laughter that comes with them, are a fitting way to keep her memory close.

 

Over the course of her life, Terry built friendships and made memories across Montana and, later, Texas.  She will be remembered for the traditions she shared, and the many moments she spent proudly watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Terry is now at peace with the Lord, leaving behind many memories that will be carried forward by those who knew and loved her.

~ Rest peacefully.  We’ll keep telling the stories.

❤️