Millie "Bo" (Oxford) West

Millie Jean “Bo” (Oxford) West, 95, of Lenoir, North Carolina, passed away on October 25, 2026. Born on September 27, 1931, in Caldwell County, she was the daughter of the late John Dean Oxford and Lela Martin Oxford.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus Eugene “Gene” West; her brothers James David “JD” Oxford, Bruce Allen Oxford, and Bob Glenn Oxford; and her sister Reba Oxford Kamstra.

Bo graduated from Granite Falls High School and Clevenger Business School. She carried forward a steady determination and practical wisdom that shaped a life defined by work well done and responsibilities faithfully met.

Bo and Gene ran Oak Hill General Store from 1949 until Gene’s passing in 1972. Bo continued the family business until selling it in 1985. In April 1986, she contracted with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to operate the Lenoir License Plate Agency, which she managed for 40 years. She was also a licensed real estate broker and co-owner of West-Oxford Rentals. Through decades of daily effort, she became known as someone others could count on—hard-working in every sense, guided by a kind heart, and devoted to the people and community she served.

Bo loved flowers, gardening, and spending time at her vacation home in Blowing Rock. She especially cherished time with family and friends, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A philanthropist, she supported many charitable organizations in the community. Well-traveled, she enjoyed many adventures, usually accompanied by her sister Nancy and other close friends.

She remained deeply involved in the Republican Party and in politics throughout her life, reflecting a lasting commitment to civic life. She ran for the office of Clerk of Superior Court twice and was named Republican Woman of the Year.

Bo is survived by her sons, Marcus Vincent West and Myron Eugene West (Carol), both of Lenoir; her brother, Keith Anthony Oxford (Marlene) of Granite Falls; her sister, Nancy Oxford Sigmon of Greensboro; her three grandchildren, Morgan West McCaskill (Brett), Clay West (Alexis), and Kyle Balis-West (Brittany); her two great-grandchildren, Sadie McCaskill and Jack West; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Richard "Rich" Irwin officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Morgan McCaskill, Clay West, Kyle Balis-West, Brett McCaskill, Will Kamstra, Rob Oxford, Justin Oxford, and Bradley Oxford.

Memorial may be made in honor of Millie to Amorem Hospice at 902 Kirkwood Street NW Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Union Baptist Church at 4595 Union Baptist Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Pendry’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the West family.