Shirley A. Milam

Shirley was born in St. John, New Brunswick Canada on November 10, 1931 to John F. Abbott and Sarah (Cunningham) Abbott. She was the next to the youngest daughter, and one of 6 children (2 boys & 4 girls). She was raised by her father and stepmother Edna Mae Clements, with the help of several relatives. She attended St. Vincent’s High School, and later found employment with Irving Oil in their bookkeeping department. She soon found love with Donald (Don) MacDonald and they adopted a son (Randall). Shortly thereafter she gave birth to a daughter; Sandra. Unfortunately, Don suffered a heart attack and passed, leaving her the mother of a newborn and young son. While working at Irving Oil, as well as raising her two children, she pursued her love of music, and was soon found on stage and television, serenading her audiences with her beautiful soprano voice.

While in the United States performing in Presque Isle, Maine, she met her future husband, Thomas (Tom) Milam, who was enlisted in the United States Air Force. After a short pursuit, Tom won her over and they were married on March 25, 1961. Later that same year they welcomed a 3rd child; Terry. Thanks to the U.S.A.F. the family found themselves living in Georgia, Washington, Arkansas, Maine, South Dakota and eventually Louisiana, at Barksdale AFB. While raising her family, Shirley often sewed her kids clothes, and found herself doing arts and crafts, crocheting and knitting, as well as sewing and painting. During the holiday season the whole family pitched in for the Toys for Tots Christmas drive each year. She also held several offices in the NCO Wives Auxiliary throughout the years and was always involved (with her husband) in the yearly AMMS Alumni reunions.

Shirley loved making things. She was constantly doing something craft related, even teaching at Bossier Parish Community College. She was often found at the local craft shows and the Red River Revel. She had also been a member of the Bossier City Arts Council. She was often repeatedly seen with yarn and needles, and a canvas and paint brush...painting right up to her last months despite her progressing macular degeneration. Even when sleeping, her hands were still justa moving…..making something, we just wish we knew what. Her love for arts and crafts (and painting) never waned and she was even active while residing at The Blake at Bossier City, donating supplies, giving ideas and participating in many of their “craft sessions” while still attending weekly painting classes in Shreveport with friends.

Shirley had a very strong faith, and always sang in the church choirs, regardless of where the family lived. You could regularly hear her beautiful soprano voice, often as a cantor. She was a long time choir member at St. Jude Catholic Church before finding a new home at Christ the King Catholic Church in Bossier City. She was a member and past President (multiple times) of the Shreveport-Bossier City Catholic Women’s League, putting on yearly luncheons and fundraisers for various causes, as well as spearheading the “12 Days of Christmas” for local homebound seniors. She loved her family, and would do just about anything for them, even using tough love to teach us when needed. She supported her family to no end and often used her “craft” money to help the family budget and expenses.

Shirley loved life and she loved shopping, for everything from craft items to presents and everything in between. She loved a good bargain. She never met a stranger that she didn’t befriend regardless of where she went. Everywhere she would go, there was almost always someone there who knew and recognized her. She infallibly left an impression. She was, and is, truly loved by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, as well as her brothers Art & John Abbott (and spouses), sisters Joan (Rinehart), Norma (Halliday) and Nancy (Brooks) and their spouses, Her husband of 57 years, Thomas (Tom) K. Milam U.S.A.F. retired. Left to honor her memory are son Randall MacDonald (Zhanling Hu) of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Sandra Allen (Rob) of Ennis, TX, Terry Milam (Jacqueline) of Haughton, LA, Grandchildren Stephanie Greenside (Ted) of Virginia Beach, VA, Shawn Taylor of Narrows, VA, Miao Miao Huang (Yuli Liu) of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Joel Black of Shreveport, LA, Nicholas Allen (Cassidy Welch) of Ennis, TX, great grandchildren Tesa Greenside of Virginia Beach, VA, Trevor Greenside of Virginia Beach,VA. Sydney Greenside of Virginia Beach.VA, Malachi Taylor, of Narrows, VA, Cohen Taylor, of Narrows, VA, Dillon Black (Sarah Porter) of Shreveport, LA, Sarah Black (Parker Skillingstad) of Saginaw, TX, Rylee Allen of Ennis, TX as well as many nieces, nephews and great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel in Haughton from 5-7pm, with a Rosary at 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Bossier City on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at 10:00 am. Interment will be held at a future date at Hillcrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks and encourages you to make a donation to the church or charity of your choice. Mom would want you to “Pay it Forward”.

The family would also like to express their gratitude to Raymonde Anderson, Roger Shepherd and Father Fidel Mondragon, in addition to the Willis Knighton North CCU, Cardiac Stepdown Unit (2 West) and Intensive Specialty Hospital North Campus for their wonderful and passionate care of our beloved mother.