Born September 11, 1934 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late James Nelson Coley and Hazel Boswell.
Millie was a graduate of Newton Conover High and later married her high school sweetheart, Sam. She attended Greensboro College and Lenoir Rhyne College. Millie became the first Miss Hickory Speedway in 1951 (which Sam loved to tell people about). Millie was not just a talented floral designer; she was very skilled in solving Sudoku puzzles, painting, and storytelling of her family history. She was often seen arranging monthly luncheons with her high school friends at Catawba Country Club.
Millie loved spending time in Foscoe with her family at the “Mountain” home, sitting on the porch and listening to the stream below, all the while, looking at Grandfather Mountain. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach but most of all, she loved to share pictures and stories about her grandson, Sam, who was the joy and pride of her life. Millie was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother always putting her family first. She loved them dearly and in return, they adored her. Millie was a beautiful soul, inside and out with the most gorgeous blue eyes and sweetest smile.
In addition to her husband, Millie was preceded in death by her brother, Jon Coley.
Those left to cherish her memory, are her daughter and son-in-law, Debra R. Johnson and Roy; sister-in-law, Ann Ragland and husband, Chap; sister-in-law, Carolyn Eanes; brother-in-law, Tom Rowe and wife, Jane; grandson, Samuel Armand Johnson (Jamison Smith); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Grace Reformed United Church of Christ in Newton, with Revs. Ryan Brakemeyer and Fred Thompson officiating.
Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery in Newton.
The family will receive friends and family prior to the service from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Reformed United Church of Christ, 117 E J St Newton, NC 28658 or to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.
