Page 19 - ALMI 2023 Mother's Day Award Ceremony

DEBORAH YOULANDE MILLS
On August 4, 1953, on the quaint little island of South Caicos, a cry was heard through the Old Fields. The newest addition to Oswald Stanley Brooks (deceased) and his beautiful wife, Annie Brooks nee Lewis, had been born, their first daughter and second child of nine, whom they named Deborah Youlande.
attend Helena Jones
Robinson High School,
formerly Turks &
Caicos High School.
It was customary
during those days,
and Grand Turk
housed the only high
school in the Turks
and Caicos Islands.
There, she resided
with her Aunty
Mercedes Williams
nee Brooks (Aunt Mardy-deceased),
her father’s sister
and grandmother,
Nathalia Brooks
(deceased), known as Lala—she, along with her eldest brother and the eldest child, Captain Edison Brooks. As a result, she became the big sister to her aunt Mardy’s children, and to this day, she still enjoys this bond. In addition, at an early age, Youlande was taught to play the piano or organ by her maternal grandmother, Mary Hanchell nee Lewis (deceased).
Upon leaving high school, Youlande returned to her little town of South Caicos to take up a post within the government sector as the post office clerk in 1972. Youlande became the officer in charge of the South Caicos Sub-Treasury branch. She rose to the ranks and, like her father before her, became the District Commissioner of South Caicos.
Youlande met and fell in love with Eben Mills, and on February 21, 1976, they were married. Youlande gave birth to four (4) children: three daughters, Shalawn, Sylvana, and Shekeena, and one son, Sauricio. Sadly, in July 1992, Youlande lost her husband to cancer and was left to care for her four children independently.
She worked hard to ensure her children had the best. During her time as District Commissioner, Youlande was
a fair and just leader in the community of South Caicos. Her compassionate heart saw her helping others, whether it was preparing meals, baking cakes and cookies, or housing out-of- towners. She is known for her kindness and generosity throughout the island.
Youlande grew up on the island of South Caicos and later moved to Grand Turk during
her teenage years to
Mrs. Mills served as the relief district commissioner on Salt Cay and North Caicos. She made many friends, some of whom are still very close today.
In 2000, Youlande was relocated to Providenciales to take up the position of administrative officer within the Chief Secretary’s Office. She was promoted to Under- Secretary in the Premier’s offiffice in Providenciales in 2003, where she served until her retirement in 2008. She served 36 years as a civil servant within the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
Youlande is an active Calvary Baptist Church member in South Caicos, where she served as lead organist. As her children became adults and she became a grandparent, she relocated to Florida for a while with her second daughter, Sylvana. During the pandemic, Youlande relocated to the Turks and Caicos Islands. She spends time with her children and grandchildren in Providenciales and often returns to South Caicos, the town she loves dearly.
Youlande can always be heard saying, God will provide. She is a testimony to this, as he is still her provider. Youlande can be proud to say she is a mother, mother-in-law, and stepmother to Gervergo and Shalawn Delancy, Javard and Sylvana Glinton, Sauricio and Lissan Mills, and Shekeena Mills. Her stepchildren are Crandell (Cammie) and Danitra (Arie). A loving, joyful, and adventurous grammis to Tajh and Tamoii Delancy, David Armbrister and Isaac Glinton, Sauriah and Shagarion Mills, Jamri and Jamani Malcolm, and Bryce Lightbourne. An admired daughter and sibling (our Tita), always helpful and giving aunt (aunt Lon). A loyal sister friend to Mrs. Sharon Minott (Calvary Baptist Church).
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