Mrs. Iona Pruett McMillian is turning 96

By Felicia Farnsworth

Mrs. Iona Pruett McMillian, a lifelong resident of Midway, Alabama, was born on July 27, 1927 to the late Joe and Iona Pruett Turner. She is the youngest of nine children. She was raised and continued to live in the original home purchased by her Grandfather, Ed Pruett, until recently she moved in with one of her sons.

Mrs. McMillian attended Merritt School and on October 13, 1945 she married the late James Monroe McMillian. Their union produced five children: James (deceased), Julia (deceased), Larry, Joe Lee, and Charles (deceased).

Mrs. McMillian is a very social person who enjoys the company of the Senior Center in Midway regularly. She loves all people and never meets a stranger. She is known for her famous tea-cakes and she loves to cook. She is also an experienced canner who enjoys it so much that she shares her knowledge with friends and family. She enjoys singing to her outside cats at dinner time and is an avid gardener, as well as an excellent seamstress. She also has impeccable fashion sense and enjoys wearing her hats, pins, and broaches.

Mrs. McMillian has been a voice for Midway for many years. She advocated for the Clean-up of Fellowship Cemetery, along with suggesting a historical marker be placed as well. She has even written an article or two for the Union Springs Herald.

At the age of 83 she attended “The Greatest Alabama Homecoming in Midway” where she shared the story of Mr. Thomas, the owner of the dry cleaner, who did not have means of transportation. Mr. Thomas would walk the clean clothing, carrying them on his back, to deliver them to his customers.

Mrs. McMillian is a lifetime member of the St. James C.M.E. Church where she is a stewardess of the church and a member of the Eastern Star.

In 2014 she was elected Citizen of the Year by the Bullock County Voters League. Midway Mayor, Mildred Whittington, declared it Iona Pruett McMillian Day on August 19, 2018 and said, “May God continue to bless her so that she may continue to bring joy to her family and friends.”

Mrs. McMillian has a special relationship with Mr. Alston Branscomb’s daughters. Mrs. Penny Branscomb Legget and Mrs. Eugenia Branscomb Hobday. The sisters have known Mrs. McMillian since they were young girls traveling with their father. Mr. Branscomb referred to her as “The Saintess of Midway, who was always going “about doing good” for all of its citizens (Acts 10:38). The ladies have not seen each other since December 2019. When COVID hit in the Spring of 2020 they continued speaking to each other over the telephone.

Mrs. Leggett and Mrs. Hobday love to spend Mrs. McMillian’s birthday’s with her but haven’t been able to do so. Mrs. McMillian enjoys having her friends and family over to celebrate her special day. The sisters are asking that for her 96th birthday, Thursday, July 27th, that the public please send cards, letters, or small gifts to her through the mail. Her mailing address is P.O.Box 123, Midway, Alabama 36053. This would mean the world to not only the sisters but also Mrs. McMillian. Happy Birthday!!