Charles W. Millican

Charles (Hambone) was born in Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in the community of ACIPCO. He Graduated from Phillips High School and attended Howard College where he lettered in baseball and Basketball. He served in the United States Army and later returned to the community where he owned a service station. This was where he met his future wife, Melba. He was a partner in Leroy Pike Auto Sales in Eastlake. He was building superintendent for Jeffcoat and Associates for over twenty-five years at the headquarters building for BellSouth downtown.

"Ham" and Melba raised their daughters in Gardendale where they lived in the same house for fifty-six years. He was a great Bible scholar and taught Sunday school for over 50 years. He and Melba were members of Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church where he served on the staff-parish committee for years.

He loved hunting, fishing, Alabama football and plating with his six grandchildren. He loved eating his wife, Melba's wonderful cooking. She was the love of his life. His grandsons knew him as "Papa Ham". He taught many of them to drive and to back the boat and trailer. The boys all love learning to "bump the bottom" and "shoot up under the pier" from their Papa and eating the sandwiches and snacks Mamaw took on their fishing trips, as well as camping in the Airstream.

He devoted the last four years of his life to caring for Melba.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Carrie Mae Millican, his sisters, Carolyn Millican and Catherine Ann Millican, and his wife of 61years, Melba Lee Millican. he is survived by his daughters, Carolyn (Tim) Cuthbertson, Susan (Tim) Slaney and Jenny (Matt) DeFore; his grandsons, Charles (Lauren Jada) Whitehurst, tommy Cuthbertson, Cody Whitehurst. Brannon (Madelyn) DeFore, Brett DeFore and Ian Cuthbertson, as well as several nieces and a nephew and great-nieces and a great-nephew.

Graveside services will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham on Tuesday, December 8th at 3:00 P.M.