Carroll O. Milstead, 84, Newburg

Friday, July 3, 2009

Born the fifth of nine children on June 28, 1924, in Chicamuxen, he was the son of the late Irving Sr. and the late Maud Milstead.

He attended Chicamuxen Elementary School and graduated from Pomonkey High School in 1941. After graduation, he worked at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp for a short time before going to work at the Naval Powder Factory in Indian Head in 1942. On June 2, 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army where he served until his honorable discharge on Jan. 10, 1946. After his stint in the service, he went to work at the Navy Yard for a year before returning to the Naval Powder Factory in 1949, where he worked for 30 years before retiring in 1979. After his retirement, he spent five years with the Charles County school board and retired from there in 1985.

He was a longtime member of the Mattawoman Rod and Hunt Club where he won many trophies for trap shooting. He enjoyed hunting and doing carpentry work. His hobbies included dancing and listening to his brother, Royce, tell jokes. In his younger days, he enjoyed dancing with his nieces, doing his famous "foot kick."

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Naomi Lloyd, Thelma Bond and Victoria Washington; and brother, Irving Milstead Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Joan "Donnie;" son, Gordon Thomas and his wife, Elaine; daughters, Sandra Williams, Keysha and her husband, Martin Hart and LaShawn Cobey; stepdaughters, Carolyn Tibbs, Rose and Barbara Lee; sisters, Ethel Thomas, Ruth Simmons and Regina Ross; brother, Royce and his wife, Donza Milstead; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; godson, Donald Milstead; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. July 6 at Thornton Funeral Home, Pomonkey. Burial will take place at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham.