It is with tremendous sadness and grieving hearts that we announce the loss of our beloved Mom, Granny, Aunt, and treasured friend.

Mildred "Millie" Kathleen Newman Vermilion, age 89 ¾, passed away peacefully in her sleep and into the arms of the angels on March 8, 2024.

Everyone that knew her loved her. She was kind and charming to everyone. She either liked you or she didn't. Simple as that. Even if she didn't, you would never know it, as she was always polite in that southern girl way.  She loved to travel and was always ready to go anytime you asked her. If you didn't ask her, she would give you the silent treatment for several days.  She was always fun to travel with, so we learned to always ask her and include her wherever we were going. She loved to read and had hundreds of books.  Murder mysteries were her favorite.

She loved wine, Chardonnay, and Sangria. She loved chocolate covered cherries, Goo Goos, and fruitcake. She loved daisies, birds, and dogs. She loved watching football (Tom Brady), the PBR (professional bull riding), the Incredible Dr. Pohl and Beat Bobby Flay. She was a great cook. Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, her famous Potato Soup, delicious Green Beans, Spiral Ham, Tacos, and the best Pinto Beans!  She definitely showed her southern upbringing in her cooking as bacon grease was a staple and added to everything. She loved Thanksgiving where she could cook an incredible spread that filled the table for her family. Christmas was her favorite time of year. The house was decorated in every corner, the table full of food, the tree overflowing with presents. Such beautiful memories she gave us all.

Millie was born on May 11, 1934, in Nashville Tennessee to Noah Newman and Mamie Carney Newman. The youngest of three children and the only girl, "Sissy" was spoiled and protected by her two older brothers Bynum and Earl. She adored her brothers and all throughout her life, anytime they were together, there was lots of fun, laughter, and love.

Millie graduated from Cumberland High in 1952 with a class of 35. She was incredibly involved in school and was voted most popular, most courteous, and most outstanding. She was Cumberland's Homecoming Queen and carried that grace and beauty her entire life. She stayed close to her classmates attending many high school reunions over the years. She always looked forward to catching up with everyone.

As a young adult she went to work for an insurance company in Nashville. They had entertainment venues and she met Elvis Presley when he came and preformed for them. She always said he was very polite and extremely handsome. She married her high school sweetheart, James Rollins for a brief time and divorced. She met her next love, Robert Mills while on a bowling league. They dated, married and she became a US Army wife. They lived in Kentucky, then moved to Paris France with their two young girls for several years. She was a seamstress in Paris where she sold clothes that she made at home. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and being the strong woman that she was, she remained there with her two girls after they divorced.

Life was not easy for her. She went to school to become a bookkeeper and worked at an accounting firm. She raised her two girls as a single mother in a time where women were not allowed to purchase homes. She taught her girls to appreciate the little things and be grateful for what they had. She never gave up. Always determined to make it on her own, she realized that dream when she started her own bookkeeping business.  She loved her work, loved all her clients, and continued working into her 80's.

She met her third love Gerald Vermilion, as a client of her bookkeeping business.  They married when her girls were teens and he accepted them both as his own. He was a wonderful "dad" and a loving "Papa" to his grandchildren. She lost him in 2013 after 36 years of marriage. After 5 years of living alone and maintaining a large home became too challenging for her, she moved in with her youngest daughter and husband.

In 2020, Cancer raised its ugly head in the form of Pancreatic Cancer, and she was sent home on Hospice. Being the strong-willed fighter that she was, she chose "to live her life," refusing any biopsies or treatment. A new battle presented itself in the form of Dementia. It was hard for her. She was always independent and now she had to depend on others for help with the simplest tasks. She bravely faced the challenges of a different type of life. Taking care of her was a challenge, a test of patience, rewarding, a battle at times, and joyful all wrapped into one. Even as the disease progressed glimpses of her true self would shine through. The twinkle in her eye when she heard a familiar song. The smile that appeared when a loved one entered the room. Even with the memory loss, Millie always knew her family. We created many memories together these last few years that we will be forever grateful for.

The greatest joy of her life were her two grandchildren, Helen, and Adam, who lovingly called her Granny. Her entire world lit up and became the best place every time they walked into the room. She treasured them with all her heart, and they treasured her. Adam said, "she always created a loving home filled with wonderful memories for her grandchildren."  Helen said, "My Granny was special. She had that southern kindness and charm, yet she was strong and independent. She worked doing books for clients that became her friends but wouldn't pump her own gas. She drank boxed wine out of crystal glasses while making the most delicious homemade recipes. We snapped beans on the porch in the porch swing with my Papa, canned vegetables from the garden, and swam for hours in their pool. She loved me in an unconditional way that I know I'll never experience again. My entire life, I just loved being around her. She never harbored anger in her heart, and her laugh was her superpower."  Her niece Claudia said, "she was independent, opinionated, self sufficient and stayed close to her family- even those that were far away."  Her nephew Steve said, "Funny, highly intelligent, courageous, supportive and tough…she was also one of the kindest and most loving persons ever to be put on earth."

We wish to thank everyone at High Desert Hospice for all the care they gave her these last few years. A heartfelt thank you to her nurses:  Cynthia, Kabrina, Iris, and Jazmine. Thank you to Connie, Linda, Estela & both Erika's for all your gentle and loving care for our mom. And a very special thank you to Chaplain John for bringing music to her, which brought joy to her life. Because of you she clapped, she sang, she smiled. Music indeed brings out the best in everyone- keep doing the work you do. You bring joy to all the lives that you touch. We wish to thank Petra and Patsy for taking care of her during the day so we could continue to work. She was comfortable and happy around both of you and we will be forever grateful for the care you gave her.

Millie is survived by her two daughters, Janice Eisenberg and husband Gary, Barbara Susie Gonzales and husband Dennis, her granddaughter, Helen Speiser and husband JC, her grandson, Adam Eisenberg, a nephew Steven Newman, a niece Claudia Miller and husband Bill, and her best friend Jean Austin.

Thank you everyone for sharing her life with her. You all made it so special and wonderful. Her light will forever shine in our hearts.

There will be no services per her wishes. In the future we will honor her wishes and take her ashes to be buried with her husband Geralds in Hawaii. Please do not send flowers. Plant some in your garden in Millie's memory. Preferably daisies. She would have loved that!

♥ Life is so very precious. Cherish every moment and hold your loved ones close ♥