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Light a Candle
"I believed in love, honor, integrity and truth." *** Beloved mother and Nana Carmelita Marguerite Weathers McMillan was born on April 12, 1935, the daughter of the late Elizabeth Robnett Weathers True and Carter C. Weathers in Kansas City, MO. Her early education was there and the family moved to Los Angeles just before she began high school. Carmelita became an accomplished ballerina, singer and painter. As a young person, Carmelita developed a love of music and the arts, which she passed on to her children. In Los Angeles, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In the Corps, she worked in Communications and served on active duty from 1953 until 1956. She was proud of her designation as a sharpshooter. On April 14, 1956 she married Louis E. McMillan, a career military service person. They were stationed across the globe including Gelnhausen, Germany, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and retired after serving in Fort Ritchie, Maryland. Together the McMillans reared five daughters: Tonii McMillan of Tucson; Ea McMillan Porter of Minneapolis; Dr. Dina McMillan of Melbourne, Australia; Crystal McMillan and Dawn McMillan, both of Tucson. Throughout the couple's time in military service, Carmelita did diversity, equity and inclusion work in several settings, including the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, where she was employed. She was a regular contributor to a radio show when the family was stationed in Germany. Carmelita served as president of the Non-Commissioned Officers' Wives Club at several locations. That organization led efforts to support military families as well as community service work. After retirement, when she and her husband settled in Tucson, Carmelita continued service with the military by working for the library at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Carmelita enjoyed helping patrons find information and discover the joy of reading, which she shared. Carmelita was proud of her four grandchildren: Raven Burns of Los Angeles; Zeam L.B.Porter of Minneapolis; Noe Austin and Raimi Austin, both of Tucson. On Setpember 23, 2020, Carmelita died quietly at home. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 57 years. Surviviors include five daughters, four grandchildren, a son-in-law, Dr.Louis Porter II of Minneapolis and many other relatives and friends around the world. Due to COVID restrictions, a private virtual memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 11 and she will be interred with full military honors in April. Donations are suggested to Operation Homefront, a nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families. ###
