Gwendolyn Faye (Richardson) McMillian

Gwendolyn Faye Richardson McMillian

Gwendolyn Faye Richardson-McMillian was born on May 10, 1960, in Monroe County,  Alabama. She was one of several children born to the loving union of Ralph Richardson and Elouise Taite Richardson. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and united with the Bethany Baptist Church in Burnt Corn, AL.

Gwen, as she was affectionately known, had a gentle spirit. She was humble and thought nothing of giving to others when she saw a need. Her happiness came from seeing others smile. She thought of others in a way that made her unique. Her family and friends embraced her presence and, in turn, she loved them unconditionally. Known for her wonderful cooking, Gwen’s meals were always received with a smile. Cooking was her passion. Having been taught to cook by her grandmother, at the tender age of 9, she believed that the best meals were made from scratch.  Although cooking brought her much satisfaction, nothing brought her joy like the love of her three month old granddaughter, Johniya Khaleesi and her cat, “Cassie.” They were the “apple of her eye.”

A hard working mother, she worked for many years at both Vanity Fair Textile Mills and Knud Neilson before settling in at home as a Homemaker. A graduate of the Monroe County High School Class of 1978, Gwen had many friends. After graduation, she attended Reid State Technical College in Evergreen, where she graduated in 2011, with a Certificate in Adult Education.

In 1983, she met and began dating David McMillian, and on December 31, 1997, the two became one. They lived and loved together for thirty-five years, sharing in a life of happiness with family. God saw that this loving spirited person had been given to this family for a short time and that her time to return to Him had come. God gently whispered her name, and when she answered, the Angels gave her wings. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, Elnora and Sylvester Taite.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a devoted husband, David McMillian of Peterman, AL; one daughter: Tawandra (John) Martin of Mexia, AL; nine brothers: Ralph Richardson Jr. of Nashville, TN, Larry Richardson of Atlanta, GA, Bobby (Ursula)  Richardson of Benicia, CA, Kenny Richardson of Oakland, CA, Ricky Richardson of Odessa, TX, Reverend Woodrow Richardson, Ronnie Richardson, Nathaniel (Sharion) Richardson Jerry Richardson all of Monroeville, AL; two sisters: Doris Black of Monroeville, AL, and Janice (Leotis) Powell of     Pensacola, FL.; one granddaughter: Johniya Khaleesi Martin of Monroeville, AL; two great nieces who were loved like her own: Zaniyah & Tameriah Robinson; a host of nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and many friends.