Jo Anne Sells Million

Jo Anne Million, aged 82, passed away after a long illness. Her children were with her when she passed on Sunday morning, November 29, 2015.

Jo Anne Million was born on December 9, 1932, to Mr. Joseph Andrew and Mary Winnie Harrison Sells; and brothers, Durward Harrison Sells, and Robert Bland Sells all of whom have preceded her in death.  Jo Anne’s start in life was a home birth near Taylor’s Cross Roads in NE Tennessee and she passed away in her home in Philomath, OR surrounded by loving children.

She was loved by her family and friends and was known for her kindness and beauty. She graduated with a high school diploma from Bradley Central High School in May of 1951. She married her high school sweetheart, Harry L. Million Jr. on June 4, 1951.                        

Hal (also known as “Bitsy”) & Jo Anne’s union was blessed with their first child, a daughter (Deborah Lynn) on June 1, 1952. On October 29, 1954 their 2nd child, a son (Harry Lee Million III) was born. Jo Anne was a very busy house wife with two children and her husband, guarding our country in the Strategic Air Command (USAF) as a B-52 Navigator. During their 61 years of marriage, this union took them all over the United States, and they also lived for a time on the US Territory of Guam. She was able to travel the Orient, including The Philippine Islands, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.   

Jo Anne’s husband, Harry L. Million Jr. preceded her in death on March 14, 2012. Both Jo Anne, husband Hal (Harry L. Million Jr.) and both children were ardent believers in God and Jesus and long time members of the Church of Christ in each community in which she lived and visited.  

Jo Anne loved travelling, marveled at the beauty of our earth, and enjoyed visiting other cultures. She also enjoyed sewing, was a certified sign language interpreter for the deaf, and worked for a while with deaf high school students as a translator, and also as a tutor for students of sign language. Most of all, Jo Anne loved her family and the study of the Bible.  

She leaves behind her son (Lee), her daughter (Deborah), grandsons (Chris & Daniel Million), grand-daughter Ruby Chopwood, and great grand-daughter Kira Million Madrid. Jo Anne is survived by her nephews, Randall Sells, and Charles Sells (daughter Kinsley & son Charlie), and Scott, and David Pryde (daughters Gabriella & Tara Lynn). Other remaining relatives are Jo Anne’s  sister in law, Edith Lynn Pryde, nieces Karen Pryde Livingston, Janet Pryde Haley (son Michael), and Vicki Lynn Pryde Foster (daughters Brittney & Courtney). Other close relatives are Ola Fadely, Sally Sullivan Cook, and childhood friend Mary Jean Callaway. Friends from the USAF, and fellow members of the Church of Christ are too numerous to mention. I hope that it is enough to say that Jo Anne Million’s life left a large imprint on the lives of all she knew.  

The family would like to express our profound thanks to the workers of Helping Hands Home Care – Corvallis. Your caring dedication has made all the difference.  

No memorial or grave side services are planned at this time. Also, we give our enduring love and gratitude to the professionals and volunteers of Benton Hospice Services, Corvallis.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Benton Hospice Services, Corvallis OR.  

Fike-Randolph & Son is in charge of the arrangements.  

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Million family guestbook at www.fikefh.com