Mildred Fern Jacob Merchant (Millie)

Mildred Fern Jacob Merchant (Millie) transitioned to eternal rest on April 18, 2022.  Born in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia on February 15, 1937 to beloved parents Clifford Jacob, Sr. and Gennie Wyche Jacob, Millie was the sixth of eleven children. Millie was a graduate of Lamar Industrial School, Fort Valley State University, the University of Connecticut and the University of Bridgeport, receiving high school, undergraduate and masters degrees / sixth year certificates in education and school administration, respectively.  She completed a distinguished career in education, retiring in 1996 as the Personnel Director for the Stamford, Connecticut school system.Though she spent her professional life in Connecticut, in 1998, in satisfaction of a lifelong dream, Millie returned home to Barnesville.  Once there she dedicated herself to both her family and to the community.  Though her dedication to her family cannot be measured, it would be accurate to say that having the opportunity to come home and reconnect with the larger family is something she treasured. On the community side, Millie felt strongly about getting involved and giving back and this she did in abundance.  The list of activities in which she participated is tremedous, and her absence will surely be felt across Barnesville and in larger Lamar County.  To name a few of her civic contributions – member of the Barnesville Zoning Board of Appeals, the Lions Club, the Lamar County Democrats, the Art Center at the Depot in Barnesville and Lamar County Schools Fine Arts.  One endeavor of note involved research conducted for the restoration of the Rosenwald Schools, including the former site at Sugar Hill AME Church.Millie leaves behind her daughter Susan Merchant of Newtown, CT (Hong Kong), her sister Thelma J. Treadwell of Newnan, GA, her sister Myrtis J. Johnson of Fairfield, CT, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jacobs (Atlanta, GA), as well as a host of nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.At her homecoming she reunites with siblings Elizabeth Hall (Barnesville, GA), Clarence Jacob (East Point, GA), Clifford (Ann) Jacob, Jr. (Decatur, GA), Gladys Allen (Barnesville, GA), Hazel (Jessie) Freeman (Staten Island, NY), Carlton Jacob (Atlanta, GA), Essie (Arthur) Smith (Barnesville, GA) and Earl Jacob (Barnesville, GA), who preceded her.Services were held Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at The Lamar County Schools Fine Arts Center, 100 Burnette Road, Barnesville, GA. 30204.
To read Millie’s full obituary, please go to www.tricefuneralhomeinc.com.