Nancy Grace McMillin (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Nancy Grace McMillin was born on August 26, 1933, on a farm south of Greenfield, Missouri. She passed peacefully into eternity on July 15, 2025 at the age of 91. She was the first child of Lacey and Mildred (Marshall) Stapp. She grew up on that farm and enjoyed climbing trees, milking cows, and helping with chores. She attended Limestone School, a one room schoolhouse, then later Greenfield High School where she was valedictorian of her graduating class. She attended Southwest Missouri State (MSU) for one year before working at MFA in Springfield. She met Dean McMillin in high school, but they didn’t start dating until later. The were married on May 23, 1953, and shared 63 years of marriage until Dean’s death. Their first home was in Fort Walton Beach, Florida where Dean was stationed in the Air Force. Dean and Nancy relocated to Greenfield in 1955 where they made their home until 1972 when they moved to Bolivar. To this union two children were born: Steven Allen and Glenda Cheryl. Nancy worked as a school secretary in Greenfield, and in Bolivar at Southwest Baptist College (SBU) and the Regional Library Service. When CMH opened in 1982, she was one of the first employees in the business office, and then in the payroll department where she worked until retirement in 1990. Upon retirement, Nancy joined the CMH Auxiliary and volunteered over 1800 hours and served for a time on the Auxiliary board. She was an active member of the Better Homemakers Extension Club early in life and has always been active in Christian Women’s Fellowship of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Always interested in her heritage, she was honored to be a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Bolivar where she served as choir member, was a deaconess emeritus, and was financial secretary for 13 years. Nancy was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan her entire life and even got to go see them play once in the world series. She loved all sports and faithfully filled out a bracket for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament each year. She enjoyed playing cards and games, especially the weekly neighborhood dominoes group. Quilting, reading, and travel were also favorite hobbies for her. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, and brothers-in-law Don Mahnken and Van McMillin. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Bowers and husband Tony, Bolivar: grandsons Brian McMillin and wife Shelby, Paris, Tennessee; Jarrod McMillin and wife Deidra, Mayfield, Kentucky; Chad Bowers and wife Hayley, Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-grandchildren Steven, Ivy, Olivar Dean and Ellie McMillin. Also surviving is her sister Glendora Mahnken, Springfield: brother-in-law Chester and Donna McMillin, Springfield; sister-in-law Vickie McMillin, Springfield; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Services for Nancy will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM until the time of service starting at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Pennsboro Cemetery in Greenfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to either the First Christian Church or to the CMH Auxiliary.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nancy Grace McMillin please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?