Millie was born on December 28, 1928, in Houston, Mississippi, to James Lawson Nichols and Flora Bell Griffin Nichols.
She married Henry P. “Sonny” Casey in 1948, and they shared a life together until his passing in 1962. She married Clarence H. “Tiny” Wood in 1963, with whom she shared many years until his passing in 2005.
Millie was a woman who loved her family deeply and took great joy and pride in them. She is survived by her sons, Thomas M. Casey (Sally) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Donald L. Casey (Susan) of Birmingham, Alabama; her brother, Tommy Nichols of Vardaman, Mississippi; her grandchildren, Lauren Rushing (James), Maddox Casey (Paige), Leslie Casey, and Nicholas Casey; and eight great-grandchildren, Bradley, Madison, Miller, Payton, Kaiden, Maylee, Carson, and Maya.
She found great joy in the beauty of flowers, sewing, friendships, and giving back to her community. She was known for her involvement in numerous organizations and her dedication to serving others.
Millie made a lasting impact on her community and state. She was the Executive Secretary for the Winston County American Red Cross. She assisted in bringing many servicemen home in times of the loss of a family member or a family emergency. She coordinated the preparation of “Ditty Bags” of personal items to send to servicemen for Christmas.
She was a nationally accredited seamstress judge and won numerous awards through the Home Demonstration Clubs. She especially loved sewing for her grandchildren.
Millie was also a gifted floral arranger and a nationally accredited flower show judge who won many blue ribbons for her arrangements. She could often be found tending to her flower beds, a passion that led to her involvement with the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, where she served on the State Board. She was recognized as one of Mississippi’s “Beautiful Activists” for her beautification contributions to the state. She was actively involved in planting the Avenue of Magnolias on roadways crossing state lines. She also served as president of Pilot Clubs International and was honored as Winston County’s Woman of the Year in 1987.
Millie was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Louisville, where she volunteered in the library and worked with WMU, GAs, and Acteens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Lawson Nichols and Flora Bell Griffin Nichols, and her two sisters, Kathryn Brewer and Glenda Nichols, all of Houston, Mississippi.
Pallbearers will be Maddox Casey, James Rushing, Nicholas Casey, Bradley Rushing, Kaiden Casey, Carson Casey, and Stuart Cavan.
Millie will be remembered for her love of family, her dedication to her community, her creative talents, and the many lives she touched along the way. Her life was a testament to the difference one person can make through kindness, service, and love.
Millie’s Christian faith was an important part of her life. Her family finds comfort in knowing that she is now at peace in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Though her family must say goodbye for now, they can hold close to the promise of eternal life and the hope of a heavenly reunion.
Her earthly journey has ended, but her love will continue to bloom in the hearts of those she leaves behind. May she rest in the eternal peace of her Savior, reunited with those who went before her and surrounded by the everlasting love of the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice or to Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes, 2681 Rocky Ridge Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35216.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Mike Childs, pastor of First Methodist Church of Louisville, will officiate. A graveside service will follow at Louisville Memorial Cemetery.
