Maxine Rank Mills was born in Seguin, Texas, on Sept. 15, 1936, and entered the grace of God on Dec. 22, 2025. She was 89 years old.

Born to an early-arriving Texas family, Maxine was loved dearly by her parents, Max and Katy Halm Rank. After Katy passed away when Maxine was five, Katherine Braden became her mother.

Her family bonds were strong, with cousins who became siblings and aunts who were like mothers.

She was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church, where she married the true soulmate of her life, Henry James Young Mills III, and spent the rest of her life with him in Del Rio. They were married for 67 years. Henry's ranch in Pandale became the place she loved most.

Her bond with Henry was exceptional to say the least. You could feel the respect and admiration they had for one another through their decades of marriage.

She taught sixth grade in the San Felipe Del Rio School District for many years before going back to school to become a librarian for the district. She often talked about the fondness she had for her students. Maxine joined the First United Methodist Church of Del Rio and was dedicated and very active. Her many friends from church knew her loyalty and service there.

Maxine was gregarious and brought a sense of fun with her. Garden Club meetings were excuses for creative hostessing, and committee meetings were never boring when Maxine attended.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kay Mills Cauthorn; her nephews, Sid and Guy Cauthorn; and her beloved cousins, Henry Upper; John Upper and his wife, Barbara; Deedee Burch; and Dr. Gordon Braden. Maxine had a love for animals, which led her to fill her home with cats, parrots, dogs, and orphaned lambs. Namely, her lamb named Baby.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM at The Masonic Cemetery located at the end of 2nd St in Del Rio, Texas.

Memorials may be addressed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the First United Methodist Church of Del Rio.