Jessie L. McMillan

Jessie Lee McMillan was the seventh oldest of nine children born to the late Gustavia and Richard Chaney. She was born on December 22, 1927 in Lilita, Alabama.  Her formative years were spent in Alabama where she grew up on a farm and attended school. In the early 1940’s, she migrated to Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Eugene McMillan on October 20, 1952 who preceded her in death in 1994.

During the early 1950’s, she became a member of Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend B.F. Reid. She continued membership with his successor, Reverend L.V. Booth who later founded her current church home, Olivet Baptist Church in 1984. She was an active member in the church as well as in the community. She served as the president of the Pastor’s Volunteer Chorus and a member of the General Missionary Society that routinely visited the sick and shut-in. She was also the secretary for Zion’s Baptist Training Union and one of the oldest members of the Cincinnati Federation of Colored Women’s Club.

For many years, Jessie worked as a house keeper, dish washer, store clerk and a teacher’s aid for the Cincinnati Public Schools. She also volunteered at the Martin Luther King thrift store in Avondale. Prior to retiring from the Cincinnati Public Schools, she was recognized by the Cincinnati School Board for her exemplary services.

Our mother’s engaging personality, sense of humor, profound compassion and understanding for other’s, made her loved by many.

For 36 consecutive years, she championed and attended each of the annual family reunions located in various parts of the country. To many of her nieces and nephews, she was that favorite aunt. Aunt Jessie became mom to those that had lost their mother. She was proud of her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. It was her mission to support them in every event and endeavor they engaged in. Although she had ten children, there were three times as many people that called her mom. When necessary, she would read you the Riot Act. Her straight forward unabashed comments were received by those that understood her love for them. One of the many joys of her life was the love and fellowship she shared with Pastor Crump and the Olivet family.

Jessie Lee McMillan was called home to be with the Lord in heaven at the age of 91 on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving children, Jimmie, Ernest, Robert, Eugene (Bernetta), Gregory, Terence (Marcella), Pamela, Michael and Richard; 28 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Elmer; sisters, Creola, Gertrude, Velma and Susie; and brothers, Robert, Edward, Charles and John.

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