Mildred Lester Wilson

Mildred L. Wilson, daughter of Eugene Parks Beatty and Mamie Bell Smith, was born in Sherrills Ford, N.C. in 1921 and ended her long and fruitful life of 95 years on Mar. 11, 2017 in Falls Church, VA. Millie was raised on a western North Carolina farm and came to Washington, D.C. in 1942 at the age of 21 to work for the Executive Office of the President. She had received preparation for this position through a 2-yr. program of training in advanced secretarial and office practices skills. She met her husband of 46 years, Joseph F. Wilson, Sr., in Washington D.C. as WWII ended. In 1946, Millie’s career moved to the Dept. of State where she served as a lead secretary for the Eastern Europe Desk. Millie’s three children, Janet, Marcia, and Joseph, Jr., were born between 1950 and 1957 in Arlington, VA, where the Wilsons have resided for 66 years.

Mille left the workforce to be home with her children from 1958 to 1974. She returned to federal service in 1974 and continued her career for an additional 35 years at the Federal Highway Administration, DOT. Millie always thrived on the job, stating that she gained a great sense of satisfaction from “working behind a desk.” Millie formed close, rewarding bonds with her work colleagues. She received a number of distinctions from her agency for her performance and contributions.

In her home life, Millie was a tremendously consistent, reliable, and generous wife, mother, and grandmother. She never failed to perform the many small, but essential tasks that set the foundation for her family’s well-being and success, including chauffeuring, sewing, shopping, cooking, typing term papers, etc. She always showed up to fulfill commitments that she made to others. Mille provided regular care to her granddaughters while still working full-time.

Millie is survived by a daughter and son, Janet and Joe Wilson, Jr., and her granddaughters, Jennifer Erin and Katherine Elizabeth Read. In honor of Millie’s life, a visitation and memorial event will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sun., Mar. 19, 2017.