Finley Lamar McMillan

Finley Lamar McMillan, 88, of Ochlockonee Bay, went to be with the Lord on April 17, 2017 following an extended illness. Born October 27, 1928 in Marianna, Florida, Mr. McMillan grew up in the hard times of the Great Depression and learned many skills from his deeply rooted Florida elders who established homes in Florida in the early 1800s. Mr. McMillan is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean (Booth) McMillan; his daughters, Michelle McMillan Kirby and husband Paul, and Stalena McMillan; his eight grandchildren, Derek McMillan and wife Jasmine, Cameron McMillan and wife Keri, Keturah Gowan Miller and husband Michael, Trey Gowan, Ren Gowan, and Andy Gowan, and Diamond Teague and Sonny Glover; nine great grandchildren, Finley, Lily, Brett, Zerin, Shilom, Gideon, Carsen, Brady and Annabelle; many cousins and close friends. Preceding him in death is his beloved son, Brett McMillan and parents Finley and Clara McMillan. In his earlier years, Mr. McMillan was a farmer. Using his skills from study of agriculture at the University of Georgia, Finley loved to work land and animals. His greatest joy was working the family farm, known as Canaan whom he felt had been a gift from God. His favorite piece of farm equipment was his backhoe. He met his wife Jean at a sorority function at Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia, and later proposed by mailing an engagement ring and letter from his naval post at Hickam Base in Honolulu, Hawaii where the couple was soon married. Over the years, the couple found Wakulla County as their home. Mr. McMillan served as a flight navigator in the Navy between 1951 and 1955 with assignments out of Hickman Air Force Base to Japan and Guam hauling goods and GIs. He earned the National Defense and Good Conduct Medals. Mr. McMillan loved the land and working with animals. Having four years of study of agriculture at the University of Georgia, he applied his skills to grow large amounts of tobacco in North Carolina, raised Limousin cattle, and had large watermelon harvests in Monticello and Sopchoppy. He was known to be alongside his crew doing the heavy work and well known for his love of working on his backhoe. His greatest joy was his Mashes Sands farm, which he named Canaan, where he made many improvements to beautify it. Mr. McMillan was a general contractor who built homes in Franklin and Wakulla Counties. He also developed Holiday Campground in 1979 which is still family operated. Mr. McMillan was a deacon at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church where he served for many years. He loved tilling the soil and making beautiful creations. He designed and built furniture as well as the family home. He was a grandson of a Confederate soldier, Captain Angus McMillan, and took great pride in sharing his family stories and heritage as well as his testimony of the Lord. He recently wrote his memories which are in process of being published. Above all things, Mr. McMillan was known as a loving and kind man. He never knew a stranger and gave comfort to the weak and weary. Visitation will be Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church in Medart with interment to follow at the family cemetery at Canaan. David Conn of Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville is assisting the family with arrangements. (850-926-3333 or www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Finley Lamar McMillan

October 27, 1928 - April 17, 2017