Mildred Brimm

Mildred Musgrave Brimm

October 23, 1942 - May 25, 2019

Mildred Musgrave Brimm passed away peacefully in her sleep on the afternoon of Saturday, May 25, 2019, with Billy holding her hand and family by her side.

Mildred was born Mildred Reams Musgrave on October 23, 1942. After a move early in life, Mildred grew up in Crockett County and then graduated from Memphis State University in 1964 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She taught elementary school in Memphis for five years after graduation and in Bells for the next five.  She also served as a counselor at Lakeshore United Methodist Camp both prior to and the summer following her college graduation and marriage to Billy in 1964.  Mildred enjoyed brightening people’s days when she worked at a local florist in Bells and sharing her love for needlepoint and cross-stitch when she worked at a needlepoint shop in Bells.  Mildred spent the majority of her career at the Department of Human Services for the State of Tennessee and served as the Department’s Director for Gibson and Crockett Counties before retiring after twenty-seven years.

Anyone who was lucky enough to know Mildred, knew she loved family and friends most in life, but a close second was her affinity for her community, city and county.  Retirement did not slow Mildred down one bit.  She was instrumental in bringing CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) to Crockett County and served as a compassionate CASA volunteer. She was also a founding member of the Arts Council of Crockett County and the Save the Bells Theater. Mildred continued her life of service by assisting in the direction of the Kindergarten – 3rdGrade Arts Council plays, co-chairing the Arts Council Heritage & Culture Festival, fundraising and volunteering for the Crockett Christmas Store, organizing the Cemetery Walk, and serving as a Board Ambassador and on the Board of Directors for the Crockett County Chamber of Commerce.  Because of her fine fundraising skills, Mildred would joke that when folks saw her coming, they would have their pens and checkbooks out by the time she met them.  Mildred was proud to be honored in recent years by the Crockett County Chamber of Commerce as Ambassador of the Year and Woman of the Year.

Before college graduation, Billy Brimm met a young and feisty Mildred Musgrave at The Hut in Jackson.  They had their first date on June 6, 1963, became engaged on August 8thof that year and married soon thereafter on January 5, 1964, quickly so that Billy wouldn’t let Mildred get away.  During their 55-year marriage, Mildred and Billy shared more love than most will see in a lifetime.  They were co-captains, partnering in marriage, parenthood and life. They spent many late nights with friends playing Aggravation on a hand-made board.  Trips to various Tennessee state parks were highlights with friends, making memories and adventures in life.  Mildred was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church in Bells, having grown up across the street from the church, and Billy joined Mil at the church after their marriage.  The two of them loved choir and church so much that they would sing in three different church choirs.

Along with Billy, her sons and grandchildren brought Mildred the most joy.  If her children and loved ones were happy and content then so was Mildred.  A day with Sophie was Heaven on Earth for Mildred. Along with his future wife, Mildred conspired to convince Tom to move back to West Tennessee and it was among her happiest days for Tom to show up and visit for hours on end. Sharing her life with those she loved was what she enjoyed most – being a listening year, laughing, giving words of wisdom and, yes, even crying with family and her adopted family of friends and in-laws.

Her love of God, service in His name, the connections made and love shared were what made life truly worthwhile.  During her speech given upon receiving the “Woman of the Year” honor, Mildred quoted Erma Bombeck when she said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, “’I used everything you gave me.’” Mildred lived a full, wonderful life and used everything that God gave her, with grace, determination, integrity and love.

Mildred was pre-deceased by her parents, Guy and Elizabeth Musgrave and her sons, John David and Jeb Stuart.  She is survived by her loving husband, Billy; her son, Tom, and his wife, Ginny; her daughter-in-law, Amanda Clayton, and her husband, Jonathon; her brother, Jimmy Musgrave, and his wife, Barbara; her grandchildren, Sophie Grace Brimm, Charlie Crenshaw, Stella Crenshaw, and Claudia Musgrave; and by too many friends to count, but must include Gardner Forsyth Bushart.

The family will remember Mildred at a Memorial Service in Celebration of her life at the First Methodist Church in Bells at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.  Renee Martin and Pastor Susie Riley will officiate, and Sarah Conley will give the eulogy. Visitation with the family will be held at the First Methodist Church in Bells on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, from 5:00-8:00 pm and on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm before the service.  The burial will follow the service at Cypress Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Mildred’s wishes be followed and donations directed to either Crockett County Christmas Store, Crockett County CASA and/or Crockett County NOAH.

Medina Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 302 West Church Avenue, Medina, TN. 731-783-1110 and www.medinafuneralhome.com.