Mrs. Julia Etta McMillian, born in Selma, Alabama, January 9, 1929 and died in Birmingham, Alabama at The Oaks on Parkwood on Monday, May 21, 2018. During her childhood, she worshiped with family at University Baptist Church, formerly New Hope Baptist Church, and after marriage became a founding member of Springhill Baptist Church, Hillcrest Baptist Church and in later years worshipped at Crawford Baptist Church. She had a varied working career and in teen years worked at a downtown Mobile department store, later as a civilian employee for the Air Force at Brookley Air Force Base, the US Army at Fort Rucker and Fort Benning, and finished her career at US Corp of Engineers in Mobile and retiring in 1977. After retirement she volunteered with the Mobile Genealogy Society and New Hope Cemetery for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Neil J. McMillian and Donie Reed McMillian, her husband Edward Burton Emanuel, brothers Burns Aubrey McMillian and Jack McMillian, sisters Voncile and Lucille McMillian, daughter Linda Emanuel Bystrak (Rudy) and grandson Jason Bystrak.
She is survived by children Edwin Emanual of Birmingham, Gail E (Mike) Bailey of Tuscaloosa, Leslie Emanuel of Nashville, sisters Joyce (Donald) Gaston and Jane (Benny) Newberry. Grandchildren Ashley (Bryan) Bystrak, Karen Emanuel, Katheryn E. (Billy) Ferrell, Alicia B. (Scott) Ramsey, Justin Bailey, Lee (Ben)Gooch, Burt Emanual, Jill Enamual, Jack Emanual, Bo Emanual, Hannah Emanual, Matt Emanual, Emily Emanual and thirteen great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation and funeral will be held at New Hope Baptist Church on May 24, 2018, 6390 Old Shell Road, Mobile, Alabama. Visitation at 12 noon and funeral at 2PM, with graveside nearby at New Hope Gardens Cemetery.
