James McMillen, Jr., 77
January 14, 1948 – June 29, 2026
Saltillo-James Emmett McMillen, Jr., known far and wide as Junior, folded his tent and entered the heavenly campground on Monday, June 29, 2026 from his residence after a brief period of declining health. He was 77 years old. Born in the Dorsey Community of Itawamba County on July 14, 1948, he was the son of the late James Emmett McMillen, Sr. and Elsie Fay Nanney McMillen. He attended Itawamba County Schools. On May 29, l966, he married the love of his life, Jamie Paulette Underwood, having just celebrated 60 years of marriage. A man not afraid to work, Junior worked for G.T.E.-Sylvania Products in the Chicago area for 25 years retiring as Warehouse Manager. The McMillens returned to their native Northeast Miss. and he lived back at home the last 25 years of his life. His jolly and clever personality endeared him to many people over his lifetime. Junior loved the outdoors; fishing, golfing, gardening and keeping his yard to perfection. A practical jokester, Junior was a staunch family man and “Pa Paw” doting constantly over his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a faithful member of the Connect Church on Veteran’s Boulevard.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with his son in law, Pastor Chris Sanchez officiating and his grandson, Joshua Sanchez providing the eulogy. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time on Saturday only at the funeral home. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed a hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM Sat., July 11, 2026.
Junior is survived by his wife, Jamie Paulette McMillen of Saltillo; his son James Edward McMillen and wife, Janice Bohr McMillen of Zebelon, N.C. and daughter Melisa Paulette McMillen Sanchez and husband, Christopher of Buford, Ga; his grandchildren, James Michael McMillen (Rhett) of Washington, N.C., Kristen Tate (Jordan) of Wilmington, Delaware, Joshua Sanchez (Ariel Dudding Sanchez) and Hannah Sanchez Leyba (Joseph) of Clermont, Ga; three great grandchildren, Emmett and Garrett Tate and Charles McMillan Sanchez and Cecilia on the way in July (Pa Paw would have loved her so much); two sisters, Sue Stillian of Belmont, CA. and Lora Sudduth and husband, Jimmy of Saltillo and a brother, David McMillen and wife, Teresa of Saltillo and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitt and Elsie Fay and his siblings, Fay Stillian, Ann McMillen Bridges and Judy Crumpton.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital Fund, 31 Sanford Avenue, Shreveport, La. 71103.
Condolences may be posted on Junior’s obituary page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/obit.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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