Christina Marie Ragan Mills
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Christina Marie Ragan Mills was born on Jan. 12, 1961, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Andrew and Betty Ragan. She was the oldest of three children.
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She graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
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She volunteered for the Peace Corps and was going to the Philippines until the revolt there redirected her life. She got a job at Big Bend National Park in Texas where she met and married her first husband David Burns. To this union one child, Andrew H. Burns was born, on July 25, 1992.
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Unable to get a permanent job with the park services she got a job with the Internal Revenue Service as a secretary in 1988. This maneuver got her permanent government status allowing her access to the national park service jobs. She got her first NPS job at Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 1989 and it lasted until 1992. She then transferred to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in March of 1992. In May of 2000, Chris left Carlsbad and started her new service at the Mohave National Preserve and retired on Aug. 31, 2017, with the title of District Interpretive Park Ranger.
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She married her second husband, Robert Mills on May 7, 2005. While living in Needles, Calif., they purchased a retirement home in Snowflake. Chris and Bob became permanent residents of Snowflake in 2018 while preparing their home in Needles to sale.
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Chris died unexpectedly in her home in Snowflake, on Oct. 11, 2019.
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Christina was a kind, caring wonderful woman who would scold her husband for swatting flies. She would spend two weeks in early December baking and packing holiday packages for friends and family all over the country. She volunteered at Women’s Club of Needles where she was a member for many years and worked on numerous fundraisers and philanthropic events.
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She was known for her ability to crotchet and knit beautiful hats and scarves. She was great at crafts.
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Christina was a strong supporter of her son, husband, family, the Women’s Club and the community she called home. She loved animals, nature, the national parks and the environment. She loved to vacation and used the travel to visit many U.S. National Parks and those in different countries. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Her passing leaves a hole that will not be easily filled. All of Needles mourns her passing.
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She is survived by her husband, Robert Mills; son, Andrew Burns; parents, Betty J. Hilbert of Champion, Penn., and Andrew J. and Ruth Ragan of Poland, Ohio; sister, Cindy (Mike) Wilson of North Lima, Ohio; brother, Keith Ragan of Gibsonton, Fla; nephews, Jonah and Spencer; niece, Darlene; step-brothers and sisters, David and Donna Hilbert, Debbie Hilbert, Donnie and Sally Hilbert, Dawn Hilbert and Denise Hilbert all of Youngstown, Ohio. A host of other friends and family too numerous to name.
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There will be a memorial service for Chris at 2:30 p.m., on Oct. 26, at The Needles Women’s Club, located at 305 West Broadway, in Needles.
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We are also asking family and friends to recognize Chris by wearing purple or blue to the services.
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Silver Creek Mortuary handled the arrangements.
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