Josie McMillan
Josie Sodec McMillan 1934- 2025
Josie Sodec McMillan, 91, went to be with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on July 14, 2025, passing peacefully at her home. She was born on March 28, 1934, in Quincy, Florida. After graduating from Gadsden County High School in 1952 as the class salutatorian, she attended Massey Business College in Jacksonville, Florida. After returning to Quincy, she married on October 31, 1954, at Santa Clara Baptist Church where she was a member. In 1998, she and her husband moved to Havana, Florida, where she lived the rest of her life. She often said that as much as she loved and was fortunate to travel the world, there was truly no better place than home in Gadsden County.
Josie’s mother always stressed the value of an education. With her business training Josie worked as a bookkeeper, including with her husband at M&M Tractor Company as office manager. With a strong desire for learning and determination, she earned her post-master’s Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in her thirties while working and raising her family, aided by the support of her mother. For 20 years she worked in the Gadsden County school system, initially as a teacher, and retired as a curriculum assistant in December 1992.
As a devoted Christian, Josie so loved the Lord Jesus. She participated in various activities of her church throughout her life, with her priority being that her family did too. She became a member of the First Baptist Church in Quincy and then later in Havana. She was also involved in community activities, including those of the Quincy Woman’s Club and the Gadsden County Home Demonstration Club. She enjoyed traveling and was passionate for the card game Bridge. From playing with couples to her dear lady friends, she played into her eighties, having a room in her Havana home called the Bridge Room.
Josie was most proud of her family, and protective and generous in caring for them. Her precious mother lived with her for 40 years until passing at 97 years old. She had two younger brothers, two children, and was known as Granjo to three grandchildren and three great grandsons. She was always considering ways to help better their lives, placing their welfare as a top priority in hers. Her family is greatly honored and grateful that she was part of their lives.
Josie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Alexander (Alex) Vane McMillan, Sr., her parents John and Mae Kelly Sodec, her sister Bessie Sodec, and her brother John Sodec, Jr. She is survived by her son Alexander (Lex) Vane McMillan, Jr. (Kimberly); daughter Iris McMillan Bitner (Ricky); brother Joseph Sodec (Christine) of Chapel Hill, NC; grandson Alexander (Alex) Vane McMillan, III; granddaughters Kelly Bitner of Golden, CO, and Jessica McMillan Green (Lance); great grandsons Caleb, Logan, and Hunter Green; nephew John Sodec, III (Denise) of Panama City, FL; and niece Kelly Sodec Levy (Dave) of Boston, MA .
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Havana, Florida, on Friday, July 18, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM at Hillcrest Cemetery in Quincy, Florida. Charles McClellan Funeral Home of Quincy is in charge of the arrangements (850-627-7677). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice or First Baptist Church of Havana, Florida.