June 17, 1922 - May 12, 2012

by Robert S. (Robbie) Millns, Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, North Carolina, 2016

Jane Kinnison Millns was born in Canton, Ohio, to James Edgar and Kathryne Herbert Kinnison. Educated in the public school system, Jane graduated from Ohio University in 1944 with Bachelor in Science in Economics. She worked at Ohio Standard Oil until 1946, when she married Dr. Dale Thomas Millns and the two began a family. In 1953, Jane and Dale, and their children, moved to New Bern where their fifth child was later born.

As Dale and Jane built their life in New Bern, Jane began a long and faithful career of civic and church service. Jane volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Bank, Medical Auxiliary, as the Hospital Chapel Chairwoman, and as a Gray Lady at Craven County Hospital. She also served on the New Bern City Planning Board. Jane was a Founding Member of the New Bern Preservation Foundation and believed strongly in the preservation of historic downtown New Bern where she and Dale restored an historic home. She received the Governor’s Award of Appreciation in 1988 for her dedication and devotion in providing volunteer services to the people of North Carolina.

Beyond her legacy of civic service, Jane was a leader and active communicant of Christ Episcopal Church where she served as a member of the vestry, head of the worship commission, a Stephen Minister, and a member of the altar guild. She was also on the Board of Visitors of Kanuga Conference Center.

Jane is remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, confidant and friend. She touched the lives of countless people with her energetic spirit and warm hospitality. She spent her free time enjoying the ocean, sailing the rivers, and creating and caring for her beautiful English country garden.

Jane’s abiding faith was her strongest guide in life. Her daily prayer was “May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and a peace at the last.”