Mildred Louise McQueen

Mildred stood between towering purple and yellow irises filling her vibrant garden, knelt between rose bushes pinching spent flowers, or sat in her velvety old chair swiftly whipping a needle between layers of quilting, patching scraps lovingly together for a child dear to her heart. Saturday she was reunited with her husband, J.C., in the Lord's garden, surrounded with glory more vivid even than her carefully tended blooms. Mildred Louise McQueen spent her life in the Temple area, raised by her parents, O.C. and Abby Connell in a bustling household of eight children who have all since gone to be with The Lord. She was close with her siblings, Lucille Murphy (Aunt Sis), O'Dell Connell (Sonny), Thomas Connell, Lavoy Connell, Earlene Jones, Tate Fipps, and Gerry Dukatnik. They continued family suppers and reunions with spouses, children and grandchildren throughout their elder years. In 1936 Mildred married J.C. McQueen, who would spend his years working on the Santa Fe Railroad while she nursed and raised their three children, Bob, James and Marilyn. Never idle, Mildred took to painting florals, landscapes and portraits, humming joyfully all the while. J.C. would craft the canvases and frames in his workshop. She tended her garden daily and in evenings took to quilting. As time went by she taught children and grandchildren to paint and garden, and covered their beds with handmade quilts. She shared a special relationship with each of her grandchildren, Kenneth and James McQueen, Mark, Scott, Kyle and Amanda McQueen, Rick Wesson and Jennifer Wesson-Ramey. She had 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson on the way. J.C. passed 23 years ago of a heart condition and for years Mildred continued life in their family home. The last few years she lived at Park Place Manor, frequently visited by family and dearly loved and cared for by the staff there. After 93 years absolutely full of life, she found it time to join her husband and siblings in Heaven. "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." C.S. Lewis Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday and Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home.