Mary Pauline Cunningham McMillen, (Pauline) passed from this life on December 31, 2015.

Polly or Nana as she was known to most everyone was born on September 28, 1918 in Texico, New Mexico to Ebbie L. Cunningham and Julia P. Welsh Cunningham. The family moved to El Paso when she was very young where she began school.

After her parents' divorce, when she was 7 years old her mother was remarried to Leslie A. White or Granddaddy White who Pauline always considered to be her father, and shortly thereafter they moved to Silver City. He was a barber and taught her how to cut hair. She later became the family barber and cut hair for many years.

As a young girl, she liked playing jacks, hopscotch, playing on the swings, and jumping rope. She was a good student and liked school. She was an avid speller, played in the harmonica band in the eighth grade, and played basketball as a forward. She loved her bike and used it as delivery girl for her mother's laundry service. She rode her bike all over Silver City, going to "Tree Rock" and exploring some of the open mine shafts around Chloride Flats, the latter unbeknown to her mother.

Polly and Elmo D. McMillen Jr. (Bill) were married on December 8, 1934 in Silver City, NM. They moved to Bill's family ranch at the Mangus where Bill worked as a cowboy and Polly soon learned to ride a horse, and as the stories go some of the toughest ones on the place. Bill said she was so little she could just stick to them like glue.

Bill and Pauline's only child, Julia Darlene McMillen, "Dolly" was born on March 6, 1941 and became the love of their lives. Polly was a great seamstress and made most of the family clothes.

In the late 1950's Billy and Polly built a new home on top of the hill overlooking the original ranch headquarters. It was in this house that their daughter Darlene was married to Gerald W. Billings "Gerry" in 1959. She became Nana in 1960 when Judy, the older of her two grandchildren was born, with Billy following in 1962.

The AT Cross ranch moved to White Signal in a land trade with Phelps Dodge in 1965 and Bill and Polly moved down to the old Arnn place 6 miles down the road from Billy and Judy, which was never too close for grandchildren. This home did not have all the wonderful storage areas that her new home on the Mangus had, so in typical Nana fashion she went to work building them herself. She liked to build things, and when Billy was married to his sweetheart Rhonda Sweeten in 1981, Nana assembled and installed their new kitchen cabinets.

She began painting in her 60's and painted several landscapes, some with animals. She loved to cook and we will always remember her delicious meals with home raised vegetables; also the pies, coke salad, and especially tapioca pudding. She kept a constant supply of Fig Newton cookies on hand.

She planted fruit trees, had a large garden, rode horses, worked cattle, fixed fences, milked the cow, sewed, and kept the business books. She was often building or repairing something. She was the kind of grandmother that gave new meaning to the name. She played games and shared all her talents and hobbies with her grandchildren, and attended school and other events and was just so much fun!

As time went on she had 4 great-grandchildren, Wayne (Lucinda), Chris (Jessica), Randi (Jared) and Lizzie. Her delight was doubled. She is now proud Nana to 7 great-great-grandchildren: Justin, Carson, Kason, Tyson, Austin, Jennifer, Brooklynn, and the 8th, (a boy) expected to arrive in the spring. She is also Nana to Eli Valenzuela (Lara), Eliana, and Alexander.

Nana's family is the most important part of her life. We all knew we were loved very much by her; she kept informed and was concerned for each one. She loved animals. Count is lost on how many doggie calves she raised over the years. She also had many cats and beloved dogs. Nana had a tight hand squeeze; especially for a woman of her size. We always said it had come from milking cows for many years. When lunch was ready her whistle was loud enough to be heard over a herd of bawling cattle over a quarter mile away.

After Polly lost her daughter in 1998 and her husband in 2003 she came to live with her granddaughter Judy, on the ranch at White Signal. After many visits from friends and family, she passed quietly away at home.

Pauline is survived by her son-in-law Gerry Billings; granddaughter Judy Billings; grandson Billy and Rhonda Billings; great grandson Wayne and Lucinda Billings and Justin, Carson, and Jennifer; great grandson Chris and Jessica Billings and Kason, Tyson, and Brooklynn; great granddaughter Randi and Jared White and Austin; and great granddaughter Lizzie; also Eli and Lara Valenzuela, Eliana and Alexander.

"My career did not amount to anything but caring for my family. I think I learned a few important things about living. Always being honest and trying to not hurt anyone. I loved all my family so very much. They are all so dear and so kind to me. My grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren have been my greatest blessings. I have been blessed to have such a loving caring family. They are such great kids." - Pauline McMillen

The family wishes to thank Nana's caregivers who loved her and she them.

A Memorial Service will be held at Terrazas Funeral Chapel - Friday, January 8, 2016 at 1:30 pm. All are welcome and invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, Pauline requested that any donations be made to LDS Humanitarian Fund in care of Bishop Niel McDonald, P O Box 548, Tyrone, NM 88065. Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.

To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.