Mona Ann (Lesslie) Mills passed away Friday, October 31, 2025. A memorial service celebrating the life of Mona Ann Mills, beloved Wife, Mother, Granmom and Great Granmom, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas.
Mona Ann Lesslie was born on July 3, 1942 in Independence, Kansas to John (Fred) Lesslie and Grace Lesslie. While still young, the family relocated to Levelland, Texas, where Mona attended high school. At that time, she married Billy Joe Mills of Morton, Texas on September 25, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was stationed with the U. S. Navy on the U.S.S Coucal, at Pearl Harbor. Their daughter Lisa Gail was born February 16, 1962 in Honolulu. Two years later, in New Orleans, a second daughter, Jolynne, came into the world on June 10, 1964. Billy Joe’s Naval career took the family many places, including Texas, California, Maryland and Washington State. Upon her husband’s retirement from the Navy, Mona and family settled in Early, Texas, where she worked at TG&Y and at Kmart when Heartland Mall opened. After leaving retail, Mona spent her time staying active in the community, working with Meals on Wheels, Good Samaritan Ministries, Early First United Methodist Church and others in a volunteer capacity. She was a fixture at all her girls’ school and athletic events, very rarely missing a chance to be a part of her children’s lives. Mona was adept at sewing, crocheting, and ceramics, gifting her creations to family and friends. She loved being with friends and family, listening to Elvis, and traveling to Vegas with Billy Joe and special friends. In 1994, her first grandchild, Hannah Elizabeth arrived to much celebration, followed by her grandson John Wayne in 1996, and Mona loved them fiercely, doting on them as often as possible and following their activities as often as she did her own children. In 2021, her first great-grandchild, Sutton Jane arrived, followed in 2024 with a great-grandson, Beau Michael. These children were close to her heart, and she spent time with them as often as possible. Those who knew and loved Mona agree she had a servant’s heart. She lived her life always thinking of others before herself.
Left to treasure her memory are her loving husband of 66 years, Billy Joe Mills, daughter Jolynne McDaniel and husband Mikey of Early, Texas, Granddaughter Hannah Everett and husband Kyle of Murchison, Texas, grandson Bucky McDaniel of Brownwood, Texas, great grandchildren Sutton Everett and Beau Everett of Murchison, Tx, brother-in-law Charles Macha, nephews Dee Macha, wife Rebecca & family, Jay Macha, wife Michelle & family, niece Robyn Parkinson and husband Monty & family, all of Levelland, Texas, as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins. Also remembering Mona are close friends including Judy Williams and Kaye Hobgood, among so many others she touched over the years.
Mona was preceded in death by her parents, John and Grace Lesslie, daughter Lisa Mills Duffer, and sister Judy Macha.
The family requests that any contributions in memory of Mona should be made to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
