Millie Jo Francis-Avery-McSwain was converted and baptized in 1957. She experienced a second conversion on February 9, 2021 when she transformed from mortal to immortal. She lives forever "Happy in the Lord."
Peter and Alice Sanders raised Millie and her 10 brothers and sisters in Vossburg, a small town I Mississippi. Born on October 24, 1921 she was the second eldest of 6 girls and 5 boys. She vowed early on that she would not spend all of her life picking cotton in Mississippi. Millie Jo kept that vow when at the age of 15 her mother sent her to fetch the water for herself and the thirsty siblings working in the field. As Millie walked toward that water bucket, she turned around to look at her mom, sisters, and brothers who she wouldn't see again for 12 long years. She kept walking - past the water trough and into the house. She grabbed some clothes, and left her mother a note that she had taken money from under the mattress and would send it back when she found a job. She kept that promise to her mother who came to live with her years later.
She had enough money to buy a bus ticket to Alexandria, Louisiana where she found work as a live-in cook and sitter for a young couple stationed at the military base there. She took care of their young son, Terry, for a number of years and traveled with them to Kentucky and other states that had military bases. It was when they reached Vanport (a temporary housing solution for Portland's fast growing population) that she decided she would settle there.
It was in Portland, Oregon that she married and gave birth to 9 children: Maria, Marcus, Terry, Linda, Douglas, Aldora, Amina, Howard and Jerry. It was in Portland where she met Anna Fitz, a neighbor, who introduced her to the late Bishop Robert Searcy, who introduced her to Jesus.
Life on earth consisted of the loss of two wonderful husbands: Elmo Avery and Jay McSwain, both whom preceded her in death; and the loss of her firstborn, Maria. But life also consisted of being able to see, hug, and laugh with her children, 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. We stand on her shoulders, and we are eternally grateful for the love and sacrifices she made to make life better for all of us. Cherishing her memory, her sass, and living on her prayers are Mattie and Frankie (sisters); Georgia (sister/friend/neighbor); Melvin (baby brother); Sandra, Donita, Marie and Big Ronnie (adopted for life children); some of the best and most supportive nieces and nephews in the world, along with many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; cousins; brothers and sisters in Christ and a host of friends.
If you met her, then you know she immediately put you on her prayer list. When she could not remember your name; she still remembered to pray.
We could do pages and pages of accomplishments on this Mississippi girl with only an 8th grade education, but she was not a braggart on her own life but rather boasted on her God, His goodness and His faithfulness. The last song she sang aloud was to you, "Oh the lights turned on, you can't hide. what you gon' do, you can't hide. He sent me to tell you that you can't hide." Like her redeemer, she fulfilled her purpose. And like her redeemer, her last thoughts were of others. We mourn, not as others mourn for we know she is very much alive, full of energy and thrilled to put a face to the name she embraced: Jesus.
If Mother McSwain had a Facebook page or Twitter account, we all know what her hashtag would be. #I'mhappyintheLord #02/09/21TrulyHappyintheLord
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