Mrs. Mildred Lucille Kreps

Mildred "Millie" Lucille Scarlett was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on November 14, 1912. There were six children in her family, and she learned housework at an early age, as her mother contracted tuberculosis and died when Millie was only 13. After several years of the family floundering to keep together, she hitched a ride with neighbors in a rumble seat to California to stay with her older brother and his wife. A kindly family in a Pomona church "adopted" her so she could finish school and have a good home. She has said into recent years that the course of her life changed for the better at that point. She met Homer Kreps, who had just graduated from La Verne College to become a teacher, and they married in 1933, moving to Buena Park for his new teaching position. They moved to Ventura for another teaching position, and by 1939 had three children. Homer began to work in construction with his brothers, which took them to Pomona and then Montebello. In 1947 Homer and Millie heard of the need for workers to construct the Far East Broadcasting Co., a Christian radio station in Manila, P.I., and they took the family and belongings on a freighter to this foreign country. Though conditions were often primitive, Homer and Millie were there when the station went on the air and wore many hats filling broadcasting needs. After a year of furlough in the U.S. they returned to Tokyo, Japan and for five years filled the needs of the many missionaries with Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society all over Japan. They were also active in the Japan Christian Academy, both teaching and helping with the business and dining room. In 1958 they returned to the States and held various positions, the main one being a Hallmark gift shop, and later Millie ran the gift section at the Mt. San Antonio Gift Store, while Homer was teaching. In 1976 Homer and Millie moved to Huntington Beach and became active in Calvary Baptist Church, where they became an integral part of that church family. Homer passed away in February of 1993, and Millie lived an active life, until after her 90th birthday, when she came to Santa Barbara to be near her daughter and husband, Judi and Bruce Conroy. She enjoyed the many activities and people at Friendship Manor in Goleta until 2009, when health issues caused her to move to Buena Vista Care Center. There was no craft Millie couldn't tackle, and she shared her abilities. Millie never knew a stranger, and drew people to her like a magnet. She was a vibrant, lively and sweet soul, who was interested in all people, regardless of creed, race and age. Children were very special to her. She kept all her friends in touch and in her heart, and many were able to attend with family at her 100th birthday celebration in Carpinteria last year. She was the ultimate mother, grandmother and friend, and was most unselfish in her speech and actions to the end, a reflection of her great faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. Her greatest and consuming wish was to be reunited with her dear Homer, and now she is with him. She is survived by her son, Jerry Kreps (Marilyn), daughters Phyllis Dow and Judi Conroy (Bruce), eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. There will be a private family burial, and a celebration of life in Huntington Beach in May 4, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church, 8281 Garfield Ave.,.

Mrs. Mildred Lucille Kreps

November 14, 1912 - March 12, 2013