I will always keep in my heart the memory of my cousin Mildred. She was such an inspiration to me as a Christian wife and mother, and I will miss her greatly.

I loved Aunt Millie so much and have so many cherished memories of her. She was a great aunt and always made me feel special as she did with all her nieces and nephews.

Mildred 
So many times I have thought about how dedicated you have always been to Robert. Carl and I often mentioned how pleasant you are when we see you and how you never complain about being tired. It was not until January of this year that I fully appreciated your strength, your stamina and your patience. 
It was not until I found myself in a similar situation that I felt I could truly understand. I have decided the only way one can do what you have done for so long is just simply, ..... unconditional love. 
Unconditional love is mentioned in 1st Corinthians 13. To paraphrase, love is patient, kind, not arrogant or rude, it endures all things. Love never ends.
At night when I would lay my exhausted body on the uncomfortable hospital cot, I would think of you, Miss Millie. I would think of the untiring love you have shown Robert for so many many years, and I would pray and ask God for the same stamina, the same patience my friend Miss Mildred has. 
There are many more verses in the Bible that speak of love, respect and devotion,
And dedication. We have seen all of the fruit of the spirit in you Mildred as you have been the woman in proverbs 31. Her husband praises her saying, many daughters have done well, but you exceed them all.
Mildred, we thank you for the truly Christian example you have set for all of us in you marriage to Robert and for the Christian example you have set to everyone during your 80 years. 
I saw something on Facebook this week that I thought would apply to some of us who are in the winter of our life. It was a picture of an old couple in a hammock. 
Underneath the picture it said "In the end we won't remember the most beautiful face and body, we will remember the most beautiful heart and soul". And after all, isn't that the way we all want to be remembered? I love you Mildred.

I have known Mildred for over 35 years.  She was so important to our “birthday group“. Her dry sense of humor always kept us laughing.  Even as recently as two weeks ago, she was smiling and laughing with her roommate, Betty.  Mildred loved Robert with all of her heart. They made a wonderful team together, and she honored him well as an elder‘s wife.  
Mildred certainly had the gift of hospitality. She hosted so many church teas and bridal showers and luncheons.   For many years, she hosted us around Thanksgiving with the most beautiful table and delicious meal.  It wasn’t anybody’s birthday, she just loved to do it.  
However, she loved, hosting her family most of all. 
Mildred and I had a fond love of crabcakes. Everywhere we went together we would both order the crab cakes.  As recently as this past Friday night, I ordered crabcakes in Fairhope and reminded everyone how much Mildred love them too.
Mildred was a dear  and precious mentor and friend. Her legacy will live on through everyone who knew her.

I do remember always feeling loved when I was around her. She always seemed to be so proud of me for anything I did. But I feel like she was so proud of all of us. When I was little I always thought she had this glamorous life. When I grew up,  I realized she had hardships and it wasn’t all glamorous and maybe it was just a regular life like anyone else. As I’ve gotten older and she got older I realize she did have a glamorous life because she made it that way! Everyday was special to her. If it was her cooking, it was special. If she was swimming with us at Pippin, it was special. If it was us sitting and watching t.v. together, it was special. If she was listening to me talk about my kids, it was special because she made me feel special. She was always smiling and really seemed to enjoy anything and everything she did and that is what made her glamorous to me. One other thing that I always remember and stood out to me was how kind she was to Ma Housch. I remember going with her to the nursing home and she cared for her (for many years) and talked to her so kindly and treated her like she was her own mother!

"We are unsure of the actual date the "Steel Magnolias" first began meeting to celebrate each others' birthdays but we know it is for more than 35 years. The originals were Brenda Burgess, Kay Dutton, Faith Ann Gunn, Ramona Hopson, Mildred Housch, Martha Jackson, Elaine McDaniel, Carol Melton, Dorothy Melton, Deborah Pridgen and Linda Torode. Some have left the group for various reasons but Mildred is our first lost by death. The close bond we have shared these many years leaves us heart broken for now but hopeful of our future with her in Heaven.
Mildred was our Sunday school teacher at Landmark. She taught us how to love our husbands and be good parents, to love Jesus and share Him with others. She was a great example of a Christian wife and mother. She shared her excitement as a young bride dressing in her suit, gloves, and matching 'Jackie Kennedy' pill box hat flying to Panama to join her handsome, soldier husband, Robert, when he was stationed there.
"What a friend we have in Mildred, all our sins and griefs to bear." I went to her when I found out I had breast cancer for she had been through it. She had a tender, compassionate ear followed by sound advice. She bought me a small, white, embroidered pillow to carry under my arm to help deal with the tenderness of the surgery. I still treasure it for the thoughtfulness it represents.
Her home was a haven of hospitality to friends, family and strangers. She often housed missionaries like Subin and Kim Panboon from Thailand, visiting preachers at Panama Street, Landmark, and University Church. She had a beautiful table filled with delicious food and lovely decorations whatever the occasion.
We referred to our group as the "Steel Magnolias" because we are solid and strong as steel, but soft and gentle like the petals of a magnolia flower. Mildred was our matriarch, the epitome of all we stood for... A true friend, funny but serious, simple but elegant, a southern lady and daughter of the most high God.

I remember so fondly many birthdays celebrated with Mildred during the 40 years The Birthday Group (a.k.a The Magnolias) have been together. My very last cherished memory of being at Mildred's was actually my own birthday two years ago. She insisted she host this party  " because Cecilia was going to help her!" Poor Cecilia lovingly helped Mildred plan and execute a lovely luncheon for me. There was a beautiful cut work table cloth with cloth napkins, candles, china, silver, and crystal. In the middle was a beautiful arrangement of pink roses! Of course, there was Mildred's signature shrimp cocktail as the horderve! Everything was delightful providing a precious memory of the last time Mildred was able to host a party in her home!! I was blessed!!

I can remember when the YoYos went to Orange Beach and went shopping at Old Time Pottery. We were loaded with packages and each person was trying to make their way to the van. We got ready to leave and missed Mildred. She was trying to get into a different van  with strangers  already in it.

I have so many wonderful memories but the one that speaks the loudest is all the times she told me as a teenager that her favorite holiday was Mother’s Day. She was so proud to be a mom & emphasized it was one of God’s greatest blessings to women.

Where to begin… I could always start with how Aunt Millie would tell me every time we spoke, “I remember when you were just a baby.” And honestly, that’s probably the perfect place to start. I can remember Aunt Millie being part of my life for as long as I can remember anything at all.
 
As a kid, I loved going over to her house and spending the day with Aunt Millie and Uncle Robert. Her house was just a few blocks away from Toys “R” Us, which in the 80s felt like the most magical place in the world. I’m sure it didn’t happen every time I visited, but in my memory, Aunt Millie always took me there and let me pick out a toy.
 
From there, my memories take me to Lake Pippin — Aunt Millie laughing and playing in the water with us, letting us push her off her float, and laughing even harder when we did. Looking back as an adult, I’m sure we were probably a handful, but Aunt Millie made it feel like she truly enjoyed being with us every minute.
 
Aunt Millie was everything you could imagine in the kind of aunt God creates when He wants to make the best one — she made me laugh, she loved us deeply, and she always made us feel special. I remember holiday dinners and lunches at her house, where the food was always amazing and there was always something sweet waiting for us. My favorite dish was her pink congealed dessert — I still have no idea what was in it, but it tasted like a slice of heaven on a plate.
 
There are so many wonderful memories — at the beach, at their home, and just of Aunt Millie’s love and laughter. My 14-year-old son would be embarrassed for me to admit this, but he still sleeps with the monkey lovies Aunt Millie gave him when he was a baby. Those memories, those small gestures, and that love are treasures I’ll always hold close to my heart — and ones I love sharing with my family.
 
Aunt Millie had a gift for making everyone feel loved and welcomed. Her laughter filled every room, and her kindness left a mark on everyone she met. I’ll miss hearing her

Aunt Mildred meant the world to me and was always my favorite aunt. The good times we had were many, always full of laughter and love. I felt she and I shared the same sense of humor.
I’ll always treasure my last three day visit my wife, Irene and I had with her in her home as she was the perfect hostess and Hank also entertained us well. What fun we had reminiscing, going through old photo albums, and enjoying that famous Chris’ Hot Dog that she loved. And she made sure she ordered for us to make it just right. 
Visiting aunt Mildred and uncle Robert as a kid I always came away happy as they treated me like a son and fed me well. I couldn’t get enough of her fabulous cornbread dressing…… She put Paula Dean to shame with her cooking.
Aunt Mildred, you will be truly  missed and there will always be a special place in my heart for you. Love you, Aunt Mildred.

Sister Mildred Housch has been a dear friend for many years.  She hosted bridal showers for a daughter and daughter-in-law and assisted in other showers.  She always wanted to know what the children were doing and wanted to share stories about her family.  She was the picture of a sweet southern Christian lady.  She will be missed.  All four of our children express their sympathy and kind remarks.  The Carl Cheatham Family

OBITUARY

Mildred Housch

June 18, 1934 – October 26, 2025

Leak Memory Chapel

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