Obituary of Grace Neal McMillian

Grace Neal McMillan, 90, passed away at 2:50 PM, Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in the comfort of her home in Centerville, Georgia, with family members alongside her.

She is survived by her three sons, James, Neal, and Scott; 3 grandchildren, Alan, Jessica, and Nickie; 2 great grandchildren, Jordan and Jaylah; one sister, Laquita Weaver; one sister-in-law, Millie Neal; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Grace’s sons, Terry and Michael preceded her in death, as did her brother, James Roy “Bo” Neal, sister Janyce Wells, and husband, Jesse Lee McMillan.
Grace was born at home in Walnut Community, Quitman County, Mississippi. She attended Walnut Elementary and High School, graduating in 1947, the same year she married Jesse Lee McMillan, also of Walnut In 1947. With their 5 month old son, James, the McMillans moved to Mobile, Alabama, where sons Terry, Neal, Michael, and Scott were born. In 1966 Grace moved to Warner Robins, Georgia with Jesse when his job was transferred to Robins Air Force Base, and they made their long-time home. Grace was active in school events and Scouting with their sons.

She was a stay at home mother until her youngest son, Scott was in Junior High, when Grace took a unit secretary course at Houston Vocational school, and applied for a job at Houston Medical Center. Instead of being hired as a unit secretary she was hired as a Pharmacy Technician in the Center’s pharmacy, where she worked for 12 years before retiring in 1991.She spent many hours making quilts, preferring traditional designs, many of which she entered into competition at the Georgia National Fair, where she won five first place, two second place and one third place awards.She was active with the local Good Sams camping chapter and volunteered with service organizations to help People Living with AIDS.Grace was an avid genealogist, vastly extending the knowledge of her ancestors and as well as finding new cousins in every part of the United States. She became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2001 through her ancestor, Marcy Bedford Byars. In 2005 she also established proof that she is descended from Peter Brown, who came to Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1620 on the Mayflower, qualifying Grace to become a member of The Mayflower Society.In her later years she was a member of the Red Hat Society, and an active member of First Baptist Church of Warner Robins. She found fulfilment in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Ginger.

Memorial contributions may be made to AIDS United (https://www.aidsunited.org/About/Donate.aspx), or organization of your choice.

Please go to www.heritagemfh.com and sign the online guest registry.

Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory are in charge of the arrangements.