Death of Betty McMillan
It is with deep sadness that Global Ministries announces the passing of Betty Evelyn (Erlewine) McMillan on Monday, August 30, 2010, at the age of 79. Betty served as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1958 through 1969.
Betty was born in Liberal, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph Bartley and Fay Amanda Franklin Erlewine. She received her B.A. from Central College in Fayette, Missouri. She was ordained on September 13, 1953, at the Overland Christian Church in Overland, Missouri. In 1955, she earned an M.S.W. from the University of Tennessee’s School of Social Work in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additionally, she studied at the College of the Bible (now Lexington Theological Seminary) in Lexington, Kentucky; at the Kennedy School of Missions in Hartford, Connecticut; and summer school at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1958, she attended French School at Transylvania College in Lexington, Kentucky.
Betty was commissioned as a missionary in June, 1958. She was assigned to service in the Democratic Republic of Congo and worked primarily as director of the Community Center and counselor for the girls’ school in Mbandaka. She continued in this position until July 1963. In May of 1964, she became secretary to the General Secretary of the Congo church. She concluded her time in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1969.
Betty married Donald “Mac” McMillan in 1971 and he preceded her in death in 1998.
Betty was a member of Rock Bridge Christian Church in Columbia Missouri, where she was a past board president and elder. She also was instrumental in the construction of the new Rock Bridge Christian Church sanctuary. “She was a strong leader and a great administrator,” said the Reverend Maureen Dickmann, minister of Rock Bridge Christian Church.
Betty worked for the National Benevolent Association as an executive. She oversaw Woodhaven, a supported-living service for the developmentally disabled. After retiring to Lenoir Woods Senior Living Center in Columbia, Missouri, she was asked to come out of retirement and serve as the interim director.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 11 a.m., at Rock Bridge Christian Church. Memorials may be given to Rock Bridge Christian Church Building Fund, 301 West Green Meadows Road, Columbia, MO 65203-3690
Survivors include step-daughters Donna Phillips and Linda McClintock, both of Texas; two sisters, Marirose Axley of Florissant and Barbara Jean Budde of St. Charles; and numerous nieces and nephews. Messages of sympathy and condolence may be sent to Marirose at: 1030 Estes Drive, Florissant, MO 63031 or by email at: axley374@hotmail.com.