Millie Grace Haynes

    Millie Grace Haynes, age 20, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Born on July 31, 2003, in Jackson, TN, she was the daughter of William Eaton Haynes, III and Christian Coleman Haynes.                 

    Millie Grace had many interests, most of which involved being around other people. Sometimes, that meant being the center of attention, sometimes that meant just being a friend with a listening ear. She loved deeply and was no respecter of persons. Her love knew no bounds. Her compassion for others, the same.                    

   Millie never met a stranger. Her love for people and her gift of encouragement made her a faithful and loyal friend. Her work ethic was impressive, rising to store manager at Kirkland’s Home, while yet in high school. She was proud of her ability to help people find what they needed. Being an avid shopper and bargain hunter, she usually reinvested her paycheck back into the company every payday.                       

   A creative and artistic young woman, Millie enjoyed painting, decorating, and jewelry design. She had a myriad of musical styles and tastes that she enjoyed sharing, particularly when she hijacked your car stereo.                       

   She possessed the art of making people laugh, effortlessly, the ability to know when you needed an encouraging word, or just a smile, and was known to create little games or treasure hunts to engage you out of your sorrow. She had an innate ability to sense the pain of others and tried her best to alleviate it. Millie Grace was a blessing to all who had the privilege of loving her and being loved in return.                       

   At an early age, around 7 or 8 years old, after hearing of a friend’s child being diagnosed with cancer, Millie was so moved, she went door to door in the neighborhood asking if there was some service that she could provide in exchange for a donation to the children’s hospital where the child was being treated. She learned to use a blower that day and did much raking and sweeping for the neighbors in exchange for a cause more noble than herself, that of considering beyond her own needs, but instead, the needs of others. No tolerance for hypocrisy left Millie with a heart wide open to love... and love she did. With a compassionate heart, she was known for how she made people feel.                       

   Millie’s friends have always been so important to her. She could be caught conjuring up a social event, as often as she could, just to be with them. She was best known among her siblings as the one who could masterfully coerce her father to take her on trips that she alone had planned, orchestrated and executed to a “T,” leaving her siblings baffled and wondering when it would be their turn! Millie gave herself and her time to be with those she loved, those in need of just a listening ear or a kind word of encouragement. Usually, it was her infectious laugh and insatiable appetite for life that inspired, along with her radiant smile, which lit up every room.

   Millie will always be remembered for her caring and giving heart, her desire to try or do anything, that joie de vivre, and her general “silly goosin’” as her siblings affectionately refer to her. Millie’s hilarious sense of humor could make even the most sober stoic drop their sheer veneer. Because of her deep sense of compassion, she was always drawn to those who were hurting with the hope that she could alleviate the suffering of others. Millie’s ability to mingle and relate to people without judgment made her a special person. Her acceptance and love knew no social or socioeconomic bounds.                      

   Millie Grace is a gift who will forever live in our hearts and minds. Nothing, not even death, could extinguish her radiant light, light that gave life to many…souls that we may never know this side of heaven and the eternal value of her life. Albeit seemingly cut short to those of us who measure days by accomplishments, but for those who measure life in value, her life, her contribution, her legacy, will always be that she left it a better place having been here, to love, to laugh, to experience life and to offer new life to those who received a physical part of her. Their hearts and the hearts of their families and loved ones will always live with a whispered, perhaps unspoken, “Thank you,” to the young woman who gave them new life.               

   Millie’s spirit may have departed her body, but much of her remains on this side of heaven. Her body is not dead. It lives on in the recipients of her gifts...and to be envied are those who were the recipients of her stunningly beautiful, hazel eyes and flawless fair skin… but the real essence of Millie was her heart. That will be the true testament of her life, her heart... tender and pliable, yet fragile and breakable, whomever receives that, receives the best gift of all.                 

   Millie lived a life worthy of her calling and has heard the master’s voice say with open arms, “Enter into the rest of the Lord.” Certainly, the great cloud of witnesses have embraced her. She has already made new friends and every tear has been wiped away.                       

   Millie Grace is survived by her parents, Billy and Christian Haynes; two sisters Mary and Micah Haynes; a brother Matthew Haynes; grandmother Deloria Haynes; uncles, aunts, cousins, a nephew, dear friends, and countless others whose lives have been touched by her love and compassion, and now new lives that we may never know who were saved by her one final act of selfless love.

SERVICE: The family of Millie Grace will receive friends on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Her burial will be private.