Joyce Syme Mills

1933 ~ 2021

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, Joyce Syme Mills (88) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 31, 2021. She was fittingly named Joyce because she always found joy in life. She was amazing to watch as she patiently endured many trials with a positive attitude. She was born in Logan, Utah, on April 8, 1933 to Thelma Smith and George Gardiner Syme.  She spent her early years in Logan and Ogden, Utah.  She attended and graduated from Ogden High School, where she met Claude Mills at a basketball game.  It was love at first sight. Claude once said: “After I met Joyce, I never wanted to date anyone else.”

She married Claude Leland Mills on April 26, 1951, in Ogden, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple.

Claude served in the Air Force which allowed them to live in Texas and England. After military service, Claude and Joyce raised their family in Bountiful, Utah. Joyce always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. She was very involved in her children’s lives including 30 years of PTA service at Bountiful Elementary, Millcreek Junior High, and Bountiful High; she sewed countless dance costumes for her children—the costumes she sewed were a labor of love, because she did not like sewing; she attended all school programs; she served many years in the Bountiful 4^th and 7^th ward as a scout leader for her boys, and served in the young women and primary organizations for her girls. From childhood, being a stay-at-home mom was her dream and she fulfilled it wonderfully.

Apart from fulfilling her dream, Joyce enjoyed running or walking every morning, reading books, crossword puzzles, knitting, crocheting, quilting and embroidery. She spent many hours making blankets, hot pads, and dish cloths for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her large family. She loved family dinners, family vacations, family activities at Cherry Hill, trips to the zoo and attending school programs of the children and grandchildren.

Joyce not only raised 8 children, but she also brought her parents into her home when they faced health challenges. She wrote letters to missionaries every week, until the last few years of her life. She hosted family dinners at her house every month, and a couple of times a year she would invite everyone over for waffles, which were a family favorite. She also tenderly cared for her husband and helped him with his health challenges.

Joyce’s actions demonstrated her commitment to the Savior. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she further displayed her discipleship by building a strong testimony, studying scriptures, attending the temple, praying, going to church, and listening to general conference. Further, Joyce was always a teacher, both in the formal teaching of her children and by the example she set—specifically she worked hard to encourage family home evening and family scripture study. In her later years, formal full-time Church service was given with her husband in the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1993–1994. Shortly after their mission, they moved to Kaysville, Utah, where they lived and served in the Kaysville Baer Creek Ward.

She is survived by her children Linda (Gary deceased) Goodman, Michael (Deidre) Mills, David (Teri) Mills, Marilyn (Ruth) Mills, Brian (Kathy) Mills, Matthew (Jodi) Mills, Lisa (Scott) Wood, Michelle (Matthew) Crawford, 26 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with 2 more on the way.

She is preceded in death by her eternal sweetheart Claude, her parents, her sister Elaine (Grant) Russell, and her brother Gardiner (Judy) Syme.

The family expresses gratitude for the kind and tender care received from Uila Tiatia, and Aspire Home, Health and Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11am, Friday, January 7, 2021, at the Orchard Chapel, 1282 W 1875 N. Farmington, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 6, from 6–8 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main St., Farmington, Utah, and Friday morning, 9:30–10:30 AM at the church prior to services. Interment: Kaysville City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.