She was born April 22, 1867, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and moved to Manning, Iowa, with her parents when she was 12 years old. She attended Manning schools and taught in rural schools near Manning until her marriage to John Amos Mills of Manilla, who had been in the livery business in Manning.

To them was born one daughter, DeVeda. Subsequently they lived in Manilla, Manning, and Sioux City.

After Mr. Mills' death in 1926, Mrs. Mills lived in Sioux City; then for nearly 10 years in Paris, France, with her daughter. They came to the United States in 1940, at which time Mrs. Mills returned to Sioux City. For the last 10 years she was in a nursing home there, where she died October 22, 1957.

She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Mare L. Severe, Mexico City; two grandchildren, John M, Severe, Miami, Florida, and Ralph Carlson, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a niece, Mrs. C.R. Kinnick, Chicago; and a nephew, Benjamin B. Woolman, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Carroll Daily Times Herald, October 29, 1957

MRS. PHOEBE L. MILLS
Mrs. Phoebe Lydia Mills, 91, 2815 Jennings Street, died Tuesday at her residence after a long illness.

Mrs. Mills was born April 22, 1866, at Kalamazoo, Michigan. She resided at Sioux City since 1910 and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her husband, John Amos Mills, died here May 19, 1926.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. DeVeda Severe of Washington, and two grandchildren.

The body was taken to the Anderson Funeral Home.
Sioux City Journal, October 23, 1957

MRS. PHOEBE L. MILLS
Funeral services for Mrs. Phoebe L. Mills, 91, 2815 Jennings Street, who died Tuesday after a long illness, will be at 1:30 p.m. today at the Anderson Funeral Home.

Rev. Harvey M. Throop, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate and burial will be at Manning, Iowa.
Sioux City Journal, October 25, 1957