Ms. Thelma Mae Mills Dowland passed away on June 28, 2018, after a lengthy battle with vascular dementia. She was 87 years young. Born May 12, 1931 in Pinson, AL to her parents, Willie Clyde and Sallie Kate Mills, she lived in Milan for 68 years. She was married to Melvin Dowland 63 years until his death in 2013. She was a Christian and lived her life by those principles.
She is survived by three children, Sally Ann Hamaguchi (Tony), Emily D. Hermansen (Egil) and Hal Norman Dowland; a sister, Patsy Mills; eight grandchildren, Emma OReilly (Ben), Dr. Jean Aiko Davis (Andrew), Lt. Mills Toru Hamaguchi USN (Ashleigh), Ann Elizabeth Hermansen, Finn Alexander Hermansen, Tyler Dowland, Mollie Dowland and Tanner Dowland and two great-grandchildren, Isla Kate OReilly and Quinn Taylor Davis.
Mrs. Thelma was active in her childrens lives and activities. She served on the MSSD Board of Education, owned a small business "Little Ones" and at the age of 60 went back to school and became a LPN. She worked with West TN Healthcare until she retired at the age of 67.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. She will be missed.
A service celebrating her life will be held at a later date
Pending Arrangements
Sunday, July 01, 2018