Millie Box

Mildred Irene “Millie” Box, age 99, of Kerby, passed away May 23, 2026 just short of her 100th Birthday at Royale Gardens Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Millie was born June 2, 1926 in Flint, Michigan the third of 11 children of Elzy & Mary Elda Brown. On June 30, 1945 in Van Buren, Arkansas she married William Franklin “Bill” Box. In the 1940s the family settled in Cave Junction and moved back and forth from Oregon to California for work. In 1977 they moved back to Kerby permanently. Over the years Millie held many different jobs including one as a reporter for the Illinois Valley News. Her proudest achievement was becoming a licensed vocational nurse and working at a Grants Pass hospital.

Millie’s favorite hobby was reading and she taught all her children to read and taught them a love for books. Millie was also an avid deer hunter and a crack shot! She spent her final years blind from macular degeneration but the family ensured she had audio books which became her entertainment.

She was a volunteer and held office with the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary in Cave Junction.

Millie is survived by children Rose (Ron) Keefer of Winfield, Kansas, Dale (Karen) Box of Buhl, Idaho, Dixie Waechter (John Saunders) of Lodi, California, Edward (Gail) Box of Holland, Oregon, and Lonnie (Sandee) Box of Selma, Oregon; 24 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; and sisters June Colonna of California, Veda Annunziato of Mississippi and Lois Smethers of Grants Pass, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; son Bill; granddaughter Theleshia Box; grandson Lonnie J. Box, Jr; granddaughter Thera Owens; and granddaughter Kristi Huston Rocha.

A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., June 3, 2026 at Deer Creek Cemetery in Selma.

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