5/5/1931–6/24/2025
Dr. Joetta Mae Mial was born in Jackson, Michigan on May 5, 1931, to parents Lonnie and Etti Phair Sims. Her sister Gloria Jean came two years later and they remained close in every way through life. Their paternal grandmother Fannie, who had moved the family from Mississippi to Jackson, lived with them, taking good care of the girls when their parents were working. She sewed matching outfits, taught them how to read, and read stories to them.
Their dad Lonnie loved sports and would take his two girls right along with him to see the Detroit Tigers or the Negro League baseball games in Chicago and Detroit. Their mom Etti was known for making the best brownies. She would give them to people who went off to college, she took them to prisoners, to the neighbors. Joetta and Harry tried to duplicate the recipe without success. The recipe remains a secret.
Joetta attended Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Michigan after graduating from high school. She was visiting a friend at Eastern Michigan University when she met Harry Mial, an EMU student and star football player. Their love grew into a marriage of fifty years that was blessed with a family of boys.
Joetta and Harry supported and encouraged each other as they raised a family, pursued their educational careers, civil rights work, and community activism.
He was the first Black teacher hired by the Ann Arbor Public Schools and later became principal of Northside Elementary. Joetta often said that Harry was the one who encouraged her to go back to college once their sons were in school. They both worked to build more equitable and positive learning experiences for students and their families.
Joetta earned her master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, while working as an educator in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. In 1987, she became the first Black, and female, principal of Huron High School after serving as a teacher, administrator, counselor, and class principal at Huron and Pioneer.
In 1989 Joetta created a transformative program after a racially charged incident at Huron High called “Understanding and Sharing Diversity” (US Group). Students participated in forums, where they could speak freely about issues and experiences regarding race, racism, and identity in school. In 2025, at age ninety-four, she was still hearing from participants about the positive impact it had on them and those they shared it with. Her work and legacy continues to inspire generations with the knowledge she instilled: “Believe what you can achieve and do it.”
The Mials have been members of Bethel AME Church, from its location at 632 N. Fourth Ave. to 900 John A. Woods Dr. Joetta was also a member of the Ann Arbor Chapter of the Links, Incorporated and the Ann Arbor Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a trustee on the boards of numerous organizations, a community philanthropist, and dedicated service volunteer. If you had a need, Joetta would help.
Joetta has joined sister Gloria Jean, husband Harry, nephew Dion, and their sons Ricki and his twin brother Reginald Earl, who died six days after birth.
She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Harry Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Scott of Ann Arbor, Michigan, granddaughter, Paige, grandsons, Blake and Harry III, niece Juliette, nephew Kevin, and a village of friends, neighbors, colleagues, and former students.
Joetta was someone who appreciated life and exemplified kindness. She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and the undeniably loving spirit she brought into the world.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, 11 a.m. at Bethel AME Church, 900 John A. Woods Dr. in Ann Arbor. Visitation with the family was on Friday evening, July 25, 6–9 p.m. at Bethel, where stories and memories were shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor and memory of Joetta Mial can be made to one of the following organizations: Turner African American Service Council, Bethel AME Church, or SOS Community Services in Ann Arbor.