Lucile S. Milligan

LUCILE S. MILLIGAN

Mom, Lucile S. Milligan, was born late at night on January 19, 1914 in a little place called Bluegrass Settlements in Knox County, Tennessee to Ella Mae Long and Claude McKenzie Sentell. Later her farming family moved to Blount County where she was raised and educated. She shared a close and loving home with three sisters and four brothers and attended Armona High School from which she graduated as Valedictorian in 1932.

Mom married Dad, Vergil Milligan, in 1935 and they set up house and home until the very early 1940’s when they moved to Florence, Alabama where Dad found work in an aluminum production plant. In 1944 they moved west to Idaho, settling first in May, Idaho in the Pahsimeroi Valley and later in Salmon, Idaho. In 1948, Vergil found work in Jerome, Idaho where they moved and lived until their three children were raised and educated. Mom worked for many years for J C. Penney store in Jerome where she proved to be a top sales person. She also worked for the Idaho Department Store in Twin Falls. In 1972 Mom and Dad returned to live in Tennessee near where Dad was raised and a short distance from where Mom was raised. They moved back to Idaho in 1982 to be nearer to their children and grandchildren, buying a home in Hansen, Idaho.

Lucile and Vergil had three children: Alan D. “Dale” Milligan of North Ogden, Utah, Larry B. Milligan of Boise, Idaho, and Linda Sue Oatman of Hansen. Vergil Milligan passed away in 1994. Lucile was very active in the Crossroads United Methodist Church. Lucile was well known for her impeccably crafted and hand sewn quilts and home made pies. She gave of herself to anyone needing help and cherished her time with the Methodist Women’s Circle, helping in making little quilts for new-born babies born with drug and other problems. The ladies of the Circle became her best friends and she spoke of them often.

In 2002 Lucile moved in with her son, Larry, in Boise, Idaho where she was cared for in the next 14 years of her life. She survived 7 trips to the hospital, three of which involved pneumonia. She because a symbol of resilience and the ability to work at coming back from otherwise life-threatening problems. Mom developed Macular Degeneration that was discovered in 2003 as it progressed rapidly until she had to give up her sewing, cooking, and independence, things she missed very much. Mom was never a loner and cherished the love of all her friends and family. She is celebrated as a generous person of sweet disposition who maintained her strong faith until the end and had a tenacious spirit that guided her ability to survive. To say she will be missed in an understatement.

Lucile Milligan is survived by one brother (Samuel Ennis Sentell in Maryville, Tennessee), her three children, 8 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great Grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Vergil, her husband of nearly 60 years, three brothers and three sisters as well as her mother and father.

The family wishes to offer their heartfelt thanks and admiration to the gentle and talented nurses and care providers from St. Alphonsus Hospice and MultiCare Home Health services, institutions that brought to Mom and her home the love and care that gave her comfort and reassurance in her daily life.

Funeral services for Lucille will be held Thursday January 5, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, with interment following in the Twin Falls Cemetery on East Kimberly Road. Officiating will be Pastor Andy Williams.

All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Lucille’s memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.