Loyce W. McMillen, 92, passed away peacefully to his heavenly home on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born in the Fawn Grove community of Itawamba County on December 29, 1926, to Cleveland and Daisy Hardin McMillen. Loyce married Geraldine Blaylock on May 1, 1946, and was a faithful, loving husband for 58 years until her death in 2004. He was a lifelong member of Mantachie Methodist Church.
Loyce was a hard-working man all of his life: hauling milk cans, working at the cotton gin, delivering groceries, operating a dragline for Paul Anthony Construction to build many bridges along the Natchez Trace, owning McMillen Garage in the early 60’s, working as a mechanic for Big 4 Pontiac-Cadillac, a parts salesman at Pearce Implement, and retiring at Super Sagless in Tupelo.
He enjoyed listening to music and in his early years he often played the guitar, had a lovely singing voice, and could harmonize beautifully. He enjoyed spending time with his family, telling about old times, yet he was always interested in what was happening in the lives of his grands and great-grands also. Just going for a drive and noticing interesting things along the way brought him great joy. He fought many outlaws along with John Wayne and Matt Dillon as he watched the old Westerns on TV. For a while, he kept his family up-to-date on the latest jokes from the Hee Haw TV show. He was a gentle, caring man, a true Southern gentleman, always putting others before himself, and always ready to help. He was a simple man who lived a simple life, but an important life cherished by his family and others because of his love and his servant’s heart. He was a man of faith and perseverance because he trusted in the Lord.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019, at Mantachie Methodist Church, with Bro. Joe Coggins and Bro. Tracy McMillen officiating. Burial will be at Center Star Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie is in charge of the arrangements.
Those left to honor his memory include his son, Rickie McMillen (Pam); his grandchildren: Tracy McMillen (Michelle), Kellie Williams (Trevor), Molly Taylor (Matt), and Lilly Hardin (Les); his great grandchildren: Dalton McMillen (Keely), Judi-Beth Stephens (Cole), Madison McMillen (fiancé, Dustin), Alissa Ann, Alex, and Andrew Williams, Finley Harper, Lucy, and Hudson Taylor: several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gerldine; son, Danny McMillen; sister, Gwendola Camp; brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Mary Lou Blaylock.
Pallbearers will be Alex and Andrew Williams, Matt Taylor, Les Hardin, Dalton McMillen, Cole Stephens, and Dustin Carrell.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 30, from 5-8 p.m. at Mantachie Methodist Church.
The family wishes to thank all of the staff at North Mississippi Medical Center for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mantachie Methodist Church.
