Violet C. McMillan
May 10, 1901-Oct. 6, 2002
Mrs. Violet Cassie McMillan, 101, of Oak Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002 in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.
She was born on May 10, 1901, in Rose City, Mich., to Katherine Fedelia (McCormack) and Leon Ray Ingleright, M.D. In 1924 Dr. Ingleright moved his family to Niles into the newly constructed house on Oak Street in which Mrs. McMillan lived the rest of her life. She also maintained a home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She had been a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles.
She earned a bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Michigan, and a master's degree from a fine arts school in Chicago, Ill. She was a professional musician all of her life, specializing in piano and organ. She organized and toured the United States with two groups, "Violet Joy and the Bluebelles" and "The Brickheads" all redhead girl band. In Niles she often performed at the Four Flags Hotel and the former Roberts Supper Club.
On Nov. 8, 1958, she was married to Tom Lucas, who died in 1971. Then, on July 19, 1972, in Eau Claire, Mich., she married Neil McMillan, who died on Nov. 19, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother, Ray "Doc" Ingleright.
She is survived by a stepson, John (Carol) Lucas of Bay City, Mich.; a niece, Margaret (Marvin "Kip") LaVanway of Eau Claire; a nephew, Leon "Butch" (Lynn) Ingleright of Florida; and by several grand-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Violet C. McMillan will be at 2 p.m. today, Oct. 9, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Kevin Parkins of Friends in Faith Community Church, Eau Claire, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends in the funeral home for an hour prior to the funeral.
Contributions in memory of Violet may be made to LESEA Ministries, or to Running Strong for American Indian Youth Christian Relief Services.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown