Kia Noelle Mills

Kia Noelle Mills, an only child, was born to Jacqueline and Lincoln Tucker on September 16, 1976 in Alexandria, Virginia. She passed into God’s loving care on July 16, 2019. Kia attended public schools in Fairfax County, Virginia and graduated with honors in 1994. During her senior year, she became a published poet and a member of Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students and National Dean’s list. Growing up, Kia was an avid soccer player and had the good fortune of being selected for traveling teams which took her to many places in the United States and Canada. After obtaining an academic scholarship, Kia went off to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Here she met and fostered endearing and lifelong friendships. Also, it was here that she was inducted into Psi Chi, the Psychology Honor Society, volunteered/ mentored in the community and later graduated cum laude in 1998. Next, Kia matriculated and obtained a Master’s Degree in Child Developmental psychology from George Mason University in 2000. She set her sights on a doctorate in that field and thus was accepted into Fordham University’s doctoral program. Prior to earning that degree, she obtained an additional Master’s Degree at Fordham in child psychology. In the early 2000’s, Kia continued to hone her skills as a counselor while working with special needs children in Fairfax County Schools and while doing outside counseling of children and adults. At one place of employment, she was instrumental in helping them to receive a research grant from the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She was also an active member of Spelman’s alumnae, Washington, DC chapter. It was in 2008 that she married Michael Anthony Mills and stepped devotedly into her new role as a wife and stepmom to Alexander, now a corporal in the United States Marines and to Caleb, soon to be Towson University freshman. While at this time, she maintained her perseverance for that ultimate goal of getting a PhD. This took her to Connecticut to successfully complete an internship at The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital, one of the first mental health centers in the United States. Later, while working as a psychologist on staff at Accotink Academy Learning Center, in Springfield, Virginia there were two major events: Kia did earn that doctorate in 2011 and she gave birth to baby boy, Justin Tucker Mills in 2013. From 2016 to 2019, Kia, now a clinical psychologist, worked as a Behavioral Specialist II for the Community Service Board of Fairfax County. She was part of a team to determine which mental health services were to be assigned to those in need. Throughout it all, Kia was plagued by many serious health issues; however, she would never let this act as a deterrent and she never complained. As her son Justin grew, Kia developed a passion for party planning and decorating as evidenced by her creative ideas used at events for family and friends. She enjoyed this as much as her career! Also, Kia loved to travel and relished in making detailed copious lists that included every single item for her to take. During her life, she was fortunate to reach many states, Jamaica, other Caribbean islands, Mexico, Hawaii and Europe. Kia was an immensely dedicated wife and mother. Her sense of humor and infectious laugh made others desirous of her company and delighted to be in her presence. All benefited from her infinite strength, tremendous courage, kindness, perception, and care. Funeral services for Kia will take place at Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, 10185 Zion Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22003 on Saturday July 27, 2019 at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park. Donations may be made in her name to the Immune Deficiency Foundation at www.primaryimmune.org. Dr. Kia Noelle Mills – A moment in our lives… forever in our hearts