Mildred B. ""Millie"" Ashby's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Mildred Bernice Ashby, age 90 of Charleston, joined loved ones who preceded her in death on Friday, June 20, 2014, as she passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home. Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. until Noon at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating her life will be held at the funeral chapel at Noon on Wednesday, immediately following the visitation with Reverend Jim Nash officiating. Inurnment will be in the Kickapoo Cemetery located south of Charleston at a later date. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to her family in care of her daughter, Christy Appleby, to assist with final expenses. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Millie, as she was affectionately known, was born on April 20, 1924 in Coles County, Illinois, a daughter of the late Frank and Icey Belle (Wright) Irby. She married Thomas Burton Ashby on March 5, 1946 and they shared 44 years of marriage prior to his death on August 26, 1990. She is survived by her loving family which includes her daughter, Christy Appleby; two grandsons, Larry Melton and wife Andrea and James S. Melton and wife Lanie; five great-grandchildren, Bailey Melton, Payton Melton, Jon Jolley, Jami Melton and Jade Melton; a brother, Ivan Campbell and wife Donna, all of Charleston; and, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to her parents and husband, Millie was preceded in death by her stepfather, Clifford Campbell, her stepmother, Fannie Irby; two brothers, Walter Irby and Robert Irby; two sisters, Betty Strohl and Reatha Melton Wright; and a nephew, Rick Melton. Millie possessed a tremendous work ethic which was established at an early age. She assumed the role as caregiver for her family when she began caring for her younger siblings and continued throughout her life as other family members needed her loving and compassionate care. She also was employed by Brown Shoe Company, the Reasor Corporation, served as a bailiff at the Coles County Courthouse and assisted at Eastern Illinois University in the book rental department. She attended the Charleston Community Church with other family members and was a life member of the Charleston VFW Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Women of the Moose Charleston Chapter #1175, and was a member of the former Charleston Eagles Club. In her younger years, Millie was quite the athlete as she played on a women's traveling softball team and was an avid bowler. As the years went by BINGO became her game of choice and it was her weekly BINGO night that she really enjoyed. Millie appreciated the beauty of her flower gardens which she so tenderly cared for and was especially fond of her rose garden. She also enjoyed quilting and adding to her collection of angels. Millie possessed a giving spirit which was exemplified in the many trips she made to the VA Hospital in Danville, along with fellow VFW Ladies Auxiliary members, delivering care packages to our veterans. She dearly loved her family as she shared a special friendship with her daughter Christy, her grandsons and their families were near and dear to her heart, and she remained especially close to her siblings and her nieces and nephews. Millie was a gracious lady and never expected anything in return for the many kindnesses she extended to family and friends. She will be truly missed but will always be lovingly remembered.
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