Joclaire E. Millhone of Belpre, Ohio was born in Parkersburg, on Jan. 16, 1922. She was the youngest daughter of George R. and Elua MacPherson. She had resided in Belpre since 1936, moving from Tuppers Plains, Ohio in that year. She was the oldest descendent living in Belpre of Bathsheba Rouse, first woman school teacher in the Northwest Territory.
Joclaire, a civic leader honored by the late governor of Ohio, James Rhodes, as Lady of the Year for establishing a new Belpre Library, of which she was very instrumental in raising funds to build. She was also honored as Citizen of the Year by the Belpre Lions Club and community leader by Belpre Jaycees. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Parkersburg for almost 60 years. She served on the Memorial Gifts Committee Board of Christian Education, past president of Kelley Bible Class, chairman of American Baptist Women, taught kindergarten and was a volunteer on the House Committee, past president of American Legion Auxiliary, past president of Belpre Woman's Club, charter member of the Belpre Order of Eastern Stars, past curator of Belpre Historical Society and Belpre High School alumni. Upon graduation from high school she became a student of Riggs Lemar Beauty School, and was licensed in Ohio and West Virginia. She owned and operated Jo's Beauty Shop, and was employed by the C&P Telephone Co. as a long distance operator during WWII. She was a licensed real estate salesman in Ohio and had been secretary to the superintendent of Belpre High School. She was also secretary to W.D. Miller Insurance in Belpre and was a homemaker and mother.
She is survived by her two sons, Floyd Alan Millhone and his wife Victoria of Belpre, and Kenneth Robert Millhone and wife Bonnie of Jacksonville, Fla.; two granddaughters, Joclaire Reece and Shyla Eakins, both of Belpre; one grandson, Tyler Millhone of Jacksonville, Fla.; three great-grandsons, David Easton, Solmon and Forrest Reece of Belpre; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd C. Millhone, whom she married on Sept. 18, 1943 at Camp Crowder in Missouri during WWII; one sister, Ruth E. Means; and an infant great-granddaughter, Lindsey Nicole Millhone.
Memorials in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church in Parkersburg.
Private services will be held at a later date at the convenience of her family.
Leavitt Funeral Home Belpre is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.leavittfuneralhome.com
