Reflections of Life

Sergeant Major (Retired) Earl Milliken was born April 17, 1946, in Puryear, Tennessee. He was the sixth child of eight children born to Mr. Frank and Mrs. Mattie Lee (Byars) Milliken. Earl departed this life on September 2, 2025, at his home in Hinesville, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Frank Gene, William H ,and Carl Milliken; sisters Lorene Webb, Mary Sue Ellis, and Annie Milliken.

Earl grew up in a home where the Christian faith was the foundation. He accepted Christ at an early age. He and his family continued to attend services in various churches during their travel in the military. He continued his service to the Lord and later joined the Baconton Missionary Baptist Church, Walthourville, Georgia. Earl was a faithful Usher for many years and attended the General Missionary Baptist Convention, Usher Auxiliary Training, to further educate himself concerning his Christian duties as an Usher. He also served as a Male Choir member and Deacon until his health failed.

Earl's educational training begin in the Henry County School System, and he graduated from Central High School in 1965. He continued his education by taking advantage of the many educational opportunities provided by the Army.

Earl had a passion for traveling, fishing, and collecting antique cars.

Earl joined the United States Army in 1965 and proudly served and protected the United States of America for 31 years, on his homeland and abroad. Some of his tours of duty were in Vietnam, Germany, and Korea. He was the recipient of numerous accolades, awards, and promotions during his 31-year career. He retired from the military in 1995 at the proud rank of Sergeant Major. After military retirement, Earl was employed with the Chatman County Sheriff's Department in Savannah, Georgia, where he retired after 20 years.

It was Earl's trip to Fort Lewis, Washington, which resulted in the meeting of his lovely wife of 49 years, Lydia Rochelle, and they were joined in Holy matrimony on December 23, 1975.

Earl is survived by his beloved wife, Lydia; brother Jimmy Milliken, Paris, TN; devoted nephews Michael (Beverly) Milliken, Paris, TN, and Corey Johnson, Montgomery, AL; sister-in-law Ms. Gloria Rochelle, Tacoma, Washington. He also leaves memories to a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and his Baconton Missionary Baptist Church family.