Paula Millard

April 19, 1927 - March 13, 2022

Paula Louise (Barker) Millard of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at home. She was 94 years old. On April 19, 1927, Paula was born in Lime Hill, Washington County, Virginia, the daughter of the late Millard Lewis and Eunice Nancy (Morgan) Barker. Paula was the oldest of four children and the only daughter. Following her dad’s untimely death, she and her two youngest brothers, Millard Wayne and Donald Max were placed in the Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greenville, TN. Always grateful, Paula remembered this time as being a good time in her life. She loved to recount how it all happened and her impressions of the events during her six years there. She attended the Methodist church and often testified of God’s goodness to her and “how He had taken care of her all her life.” She went to live with her mother and step-father at age 13, and at 16, Paula married the love of her life, Jennings Scott Millard, and lived in Bristol. She enjoyed being a homemaker and a loving mom to her 10 children. Paula’s home was her haven. Jennings built their home in 1948, and it was where she raised her children and found comfort and joy. She loved flowers, working in the yard, and being surrounded by her family. Paula was very creative and enjoyed painting, sewing, crocheting, ceramics, playing violin, square dancing, and clogging. She was an accomplished pianist and loved writing poetry and working puzzles, but most of all, she loved being with her family and was incredibly proud of each one. Paula collected and treasured the cards she received down through the years from her family. In 1966, Paula began a career in retail as manager of the Eleanor Shop in Bristol. She then became a buyer for the H.P. King Children’s Department. Paula made many trips to New York each year in that capacity. When H.P. King closed, she worked at Proffitt’s Department Store at the Bristol Mall in customer service for over 20 years, retiring at 79. Those left to cherish Paula’s memory include her 10 children, Michael Scott Millard of Stafford, VA, Paula Irene (Thomas) Sproles of New Castle, IN, Holly Powers (Kathy) Millard of Bristol, TN, Nancy Louise Rader of Bristol, TN, Henry Lloyd Millard of Bristol, TN, Mary Naomi (Terry) Ragan of Highland, MI, Cynthia Marie (Greg) Androney, Phillip Mark (Gerri) Millard, Paul Richard Millard, and Rebecca Leah Millard all of Bristol, TN; Twenty-two grandchildren, Michele Louise Millard, Elizabeth Ann (Scott) Harkema, Connie Lee (Jeff) Richwine, Thomas David (Mary Beth) Sproles, Leah Paulette DeArmond, John Mark (Julie) Sproles, Jason Powers (Julie) Millard, Leah Brooke (Dewayne) Bunche, Charles Scott Rader, Holly Suzanne (John) Bednar, Jonathan Asbury (Veronika) Millard, Sara Katelyn (Jonathan) Seagroves, Terry Field (Carrie) Ragan, Michael Richard Dewayne (Courtney) Ragan, Daniel Millard Ragan, Gregory Adam (Winters) Androney, George Andrew (Shawn) Androney, Oreon Cecilia (Jason) Millard-Street, Phillip Jennings (Sherylyn) Millard, Mark Isaac (Angelea) Millard, Rebecca Michelle Millard, and Nicholas Tyler Millard (Tosha); Forty great-grandchildren, Elijah Ryan (Vitalia) Millard, Adam Carlos (Shannon) Millard, Jordan Danielle Millard (James Keller), Tristin Ann Harkema, Lauren Michele (Jordan) Dodrill, Emily Brooke (Dylan) Phair, Ashley Caroline Shults, Sarah Beth (David) Sanford, Hannah Marie (Josh) Cravens, Daniel Thomas Sproles, Ethan Andrew, and Caleb Wayne DeArmond, Mark Evan, Katelyn Nicole, Brooklyn Michelle, and Brayden Isaiah Sproles, Kayla Blake (Nathaniel) Blaylock, Melissa Katheryn Millard, Janie Brooke Millard (Peyton Kegley), Zachary (Allie) Morris, Hollie Brook Millard (Avery Brown), Riley Nicole Morris, Sophia Kotomi Rader, Vivian Le Rader, Jennings Le Rader, Jackson Hollister Brady, Charles Joseph Bednar, Aislynn Harper Seagroves, Ireland Rose and Eliana Lavender Ragan, Margaret Keziah, Gregory Boone, and Atlas Jennings Androney, Wyler Burton and Warren George Androney, twins – Makaia Kathleen Millard and Makira Belle Millard, Michael Dennis (Autumn) Dewberry, Allison Eloise Millard, and Baker Scott Millard; Ten great-great-grandchildren, Alexander Scott Keller, Benaiah Owen and Elli Kate Sanford, Elaina Irene Cravens, Grayson Martin Powers Blaylock, Katerina Blakely Millard, Nora Gwendolyn Millard, Taylorann Michelle Faith, Olivia Barbara Rose, and Iris Nina May Dewberry. Paula is also survived by a sister-in-law, Peggy Barker of Inman, SC, and many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Susanna Shea Moody, who kindly remembered her throughout the years with cards and gifts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard Lewis Barker, at age 23, and Eunice Nancy Shankel; her step-father, Paul Edgar Shankel; her husband of 25 years, Jennings Scott Millard in 1969; a great-grandson, Mark Isaac Millard Jr.; a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Autumn Kennedy; a granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Blake (Brown) Millard, and by two brothers, Norman Willis Barker and Millard Wayne (Sarah) White and several aunts and uncles including a special Aunt Ruby Leona (Henry Haven) Necessary. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2022, at Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church, 300 Henson Lane, Bristol, TN with Pastor Gary Rowlette officiating. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 until 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Holston United Methodist Home for Children by Clicking Here. www.holstonhome.org. Paula’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Misty Williamson, who provided such loving care and the excellent Amedysis Hospice staff. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bristol, TN.