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Jean Millican Burkhead

April 17, 1936 ~ October 9, 2022

ROCKY MOUNT – Jean Millican Burkhead, age 86, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022. Born in Durham County, NC at Duke Hospital, on April 17, 1936, she grew up and was raised in Roxboro, NC. Jean was the daughter of the late James Leroy Millican and Mary Vann Hart Millican. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Shelley Hart McCain. A devoted and talented educator, Jean began her lifelong calling in Raleigh NC, teaching kindergarten at White Memorial Church and then 1st grade at Aldert Root Elementary School until her retirement after over 35 years. In 2008 she moved to Rocky Mount, NC to be close to family. She joined Lakeside Baptist Church and found her new mission of helping with her grandchildren and all their many friends. She was known to all the kids as “Grandma Jean” and loved every minute she was able to spend with them. A social butterfly with a gradient personality, Jean loved traveling with her sisters and was known for spreading her positivity with all those she met along the way. A loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many, Jean will be forever loved and deeply missed. Jean is survived by her daughters, Dr. Lesley Browder and husband, Dr. David Browder, of Rocky Mount and Ellen Ferdon and husband Jeff, of Charlotte; her grandchildren, Alden Charles Ferdon (Priscila), Sydney Elizabeth Browder, Jackson Ross Browder, Barkley Hart Browder, Carson Ellen Browder, and Bo Burkhead Browder; her sister, Beverly Saleeby (Charlie); and several nieces and nephews. A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

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  1. I’m so sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed talking to Jean at church or wherever I happened to see her. My prayers are with the family.

  2. Such a sweet sweet and lovely lady with a wonderful family. I was honored to be her nurse on a few occasions and then to see her out in public and have a nice conversation w her. She talked about how proud she was of her family and she was so happy to be out shopping. She was a classy lady and simply brought me joy just by chatting with her. Many thoughts are prayers for her family. ❤️

  3. Jean was one of my closest friends growing up. We walked to high school together or rode with Bill Mewborne as he had a car. She was always smart in high school and did not know of her death until another friend in Roxboro called me. I wish I had known of her death as I had visited her a couple of times in Rockingham. I will miss her very much and she was always so beautiful.


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