Mildred (Millie) Whitehead, 95, of Akron passed away Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Yuma Life Care Center in Yuma.
I, Mildred Lucille (Grooms) Whitehead, was born on February 24, 1919 in Akron, Colorado. I was the fourth child out of eleven, born to John S. Grooms and Julia Caroline (Waggoner) Grooms. We lived on a farm North West of Akron.
As a child I attended the North Buena Vista School through the eighth grade. We rode horses or walked to school 2 ½ miles across fields or 3 ½ if we walked on the road. We had chores to do every day as we milked cows, picked up corn cobs in the cow lot and cow chips in the pasture all of which were used for fuel. It was cheaper than coal.
After 8th grade I transferred to the Akron High School graduating with the class of 1937.
During high school I worked at Wash Brothers grocery store. After graduation I went to work for the Washington County Court House in the ASC office.
While attending a dance I met Orville Whitehead. We were married on June 21, 1941. After he joined the Army we lived in many different states. While living in San Antonio, Texas, our son Gary was born. Soon after Orville was shipped overseas Gary and I returned to Akron to live with my parents and I went back to work at the court house. When Orville returned from the service we lived in Loveland for a short period of time, again returning to Akron. I went to work for Alfred Ward and Son as their office manager staying there for 35 years.
I was a member of the United Methodist Church and the VFW club. I enjoyed bowling, playing bingo and going to Blackhawk with the gals but more than anything family was the most important part of my life.
Preceding me in death were my parents John and Carrie Grooms; my husband of 49 years Orville; brothers John, Dale, Donald, Lester, and Duane Grooms; and sisters, Wilma Grooms, Vera Rasmussen, Susie Hathaway, and Rose Wells.
Surviving me is my son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Jodie; grandchildren Doug and wife Shannon, and Rick and wife Leslie; six great-grandchildren, Kale, Baylen, Trace, Avery, Harper and Kasen; and one great-great-grandchild, Bryson, all of Yuma. Also surviving me is one sister Donna Downing of Yuma, Arizona, plus many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, November 6th at the Akron United Methodist Church with Reverend Phil Vogels officiating. Barb, Ryan and Ronella Noble will sing "In the Garden" and "On the Wings of a Dove" accompanied by Linda Hayes
Pallbearers will be Doug Whitehead, Rick Whitehead, Kale Whitehead and Trace Whitehead. Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery with Bowin Funeral Home in charge.
Memorial donations in her name can be made to the Akron VFW or the Akron United Methodist Church.