Joseph Carson McMillan, Sr., 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Cullman, Alabama at 9:12 p.m. Feb. 2, 2020, just as the Kansas City Chiefs secured their victory in Super Bowl LIV. If you aren’t waiting to draw your last breath until the Super Bowl is over, are you even a true football fan?
He was born in Bartow, Florida Nov. 15, 1930 to Alvin Sherrell and Dorothy Hooks McMillan.
Joe attended Riverside Military Academy in preparation for entry to the United States Air Force. He served during the Korean War in the 309th Troop Carrier Squadron, spending a great deal of time in Goose Bay, Labrador and on the frigid island of Greenland.
Upon completion of his service to our country, Joe attended the University of Florida. Shortly after his arrival back to sunny Florida, he found himself getting reacquainted with the lovely JoAnn Shirley. In short order, the two said “I do,” beginning a 66-year love affair, providing an example of dedication and partnership that all married couples should strive to emulate.
Joe was an incredible businessman and, by today’s standards, would be labeled a serial entrepreneur. He owned an orange grove and a cattle farm in Florida, eventually selling these to move to Akron, Ohio where he and JoAnn’s uncle, John, delved into the rubbish removal business. His savvy eye for opportunity eventually led him and his family to Cullman where he established the beginnings of the current trash removal service. Joe also opened a sewing factory in Addison, Alabama, worked with James Nearen of Nearen Construction and completed his career as the superintendent of the Cullman City Street Department.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He lettered in both football and baseball while at Riverside Military Academy. He loved the game of golf, once playing 54 holes in a single day at the Cullman Municipal Golf Course. If the Alabama Crimson Tide football team was taking the field, odds were good that he would be somewhere watching. Rarely would you see Joe without his shoes polished and a pressed, collared shirt. Joe loved the congregation at St. Andrew’s UMC. He was a Lay Director of an Emmaus Walk and sang in the choir for many years.
Joe is survived by wife JoAnn; children Melinda McMillan Briscoe, Joseph “Mac” (Connie) McMillan, and Mary McMillan Alldredge (Randy Nix); grandchildren Amanda (Mark) Lang, Brent (Katie) McMillan, Brooke (Kris) Hollingsworth, Terry (Alicia) Alldredge, Steven (Bethany) Alldredge, Bret (Jillian) Alldredge, and Jesse Alldredge; great-grandchildren Carson McMillan, Caden McMillan, John Collier McMillan, Kalleigh Harper Hollingsworth, Alayna Alldredge, Alexandra Alldredge, Arabella Alldredge, Ainsley Alldredge, Tinley Alldredge, Mailey Alldredge, and Fitzjoseph Alldredge; sister Winifred (George) Gordon Wadsworth; nephews Greg (Reggie) Gordon and Pete (Angie) Gordon; niece Suzanne (Dave) Hamar; and a host of other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin Sherrell and Dorothy Hooks McMillan.
Visitation will be Feb. 5, 2020 from 1-2 p.m. with funeral services immediately following from 2-3 p.m., officiated by Rev. Walter Cash, Ralph Sellers and Rev. Chuck Worley, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.
Interment will follow funeral services at Fairview Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mark Lang, Brent McMillan, Kris Hollingsworth, Terry Alldredge, Steven Alldredge, Bret Alldredge, Jesse Alldredge, and Kevin Nix.
