WEST COLUMBIA - Madeline Carley McMillion died peacefully on Sunday, September 11, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Madeline was born in Rome, New York, on December 22, 1942, the daughter to Gordon Carley and Helene Lamirande Carley. Growing up in Rome, she attended and graduated from The Academy of the Holy Names. As a young girl she was an active member of the Girl Scouts and Mariner Scouts. She spent her summers lifeguarding and teaching swimming for the City of Rome, the Scouts, and the Verona Beach State Park. She then attended and graduated from Marywood University in Scranton, PA with an A.B. Degree in Education. She was captain of her college swim team and competed internationally in synchronized swimming.
Upon college graduation, she joined the US Peace Corps in 1964 and served for two years in Liberia, West Africa. Her assignment was to establish the Public Health Program for the Peace Corps and upon its completion; the program became the largest endeavor for the Peace Corps in its community development in Liberia. It was in the Peace Corps that she met and married Edward Houston McMillion. Together they traveled extensively throughout Africa. Upon arrival back to the United States, she taught school in West Virginia for three years and attended WVU. She and Houston settled in South Carolina in 1969 and lived in Summerville, Chapin, and most recently, West Columbia.
An accomplished pianist, she taught piano for 30 years. She also served as organist and choir director for Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Chapin, SC, of which she and her husband, Edward Houston McMillion, were participating founders.
Madeline taught in the Chapin Public School System for 14 years and was an active member in numerous community organizations: the School Advisory Council, the Lexington Medical Center’s Advisory Board for 17 years, the American Association of University Women as Vice President, the Columbia Kiwanis Club as Program Chairman, the Lexington County Elections Commission, the Shakespeare Theater Board, the Chapin Theater Board, and the National Board of Friends of Liberia.
Upon receiving her M.A. from the University of South Carolina, she was named Principal of Saint Peter’s Catholic School in 1993. She was awarded a Senate Resolution from the SC Senate for her accomplishments in education and in the Columbia community. She retired as principal in 2007 and considered her 14 years at St. Peter’s Catholic School the most fulfilling of her career.
Houston and Madeline are the proud parents of Geoffrey Gordon McMillion and John Houston McMillion, and proud grandparents of Ella Terese McMillion (15) and Gordon Edward McMillion (13) of Missoula, Montana. Geoff is married to Bridget Moylan McMillion of Missoula, MT where they reside with Ella and Gordon. John is married to Denise (Deni) Piecuch McMillion of Lake Wylie, SC. John and Deni currently live in Chapin, SC.
Madeline was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Robert Gordon Carley, and a sister, Mary Anne Carley Shannon. She is survived by sisters, Darlene Carley Ringrose and Christine Carley Stitch.
A mass will be held in Madeline McMillion’s honor Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, 1529 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29202. There will be a reception immediately following the service in Neglia Hall.
Contributions can be made to the Madeline C. McMillion Memorial Scholarship Fund, St. Peter’s Catholic School, 1035 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29201.
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