COLLETTA LAKE RAY MCMILLIAN

1929-2018

Colletta Lake Ray McMillian, an elegant lady with great style and panache, who embraced life with a wonderful sense of humor and a joyful spirit, passed on Wednesday, the 17th of January 2018, in Houston Texas. Born the 29th of December 1929, in Lafayette Louisiana, she was the eldest of three children of Colletta Marie Lake Ray and Robert Hillyer Ray of Houston. She attended River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Junior High School, Lamar High School, and Rice University. An eager and outstanding student, Colletta graduated at the top of her class at Rice. Elected Vice President of the student body, she often joked that the reason she couldn’t be President was because she was a woman. Shortly after graduation, Colletta and Don Forrest McMillian, Sr were married and had 3 wonderful sons Don Jr. Robert and Reid.

Colletta was devoted to the community and active in many organizations. She was presented the Spirit of Excellence Award by Baylor College of Medicine in 1991 as well as being named Volunteer of the Year 1998. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Baylor College of Medicine for over 15 years. She was a Silver Foundation Affiliate and a Gold Regency Club member for Houston Baptist University. She served on the Board of Trustees for Houston Baptist University from 1976 to 1985. Colletta was also a life Member of the 100 Club, active in medical research at Texas Children’s Cancer Hospital, and was given the HCOA Spirit Award for Women’s Health Summit in 1999.

Colletta expressed her artistic talents through her flower arrangements for many Azalea Trails for the River Oaks Garden Club. She and her sister Bobby were a great creative team. Colletta also enjoyed being a member of Bayou Bend and the Houston Country Club. She was a lifetime member of Second Baptist Church. Colletta found strength through her faith.

Having diverse interests, Colletta enjoyed tennis, golf and was passionate about horses. Colletta raised and showed horses from 1964 -1972. She raced thoroughbreds from 1983 - 1986 in California.

Colletta was a gracious entertainer and hostess. She hosted fabulous parties for family and friends at their ranch in Richmond, TX, and their home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Among Colletta’s many talents and gifts, her warmth and grace stand out. She treated everyone with kindness and respect. Her friends were numerous and diverse and from all facets of her life. She had a contagious smile. This was evident from the moment she entered a room. She loved her family unwaveringly. She leaves us with wonderful memories and an example of how to live life.

Colletta was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Taylor Ray. Colletta is survived by her sister Bobby Jean Ray Haemisegger, sons Don Forrest McMillian Jr. his wife Marie of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Robert Ray McMillian of Houston, Texas and Reid Cummins McMillian, and his wife Gina of Columbus, Texas. Granddaughters, Meredith Leigh, Lauren Ray, Michelle Forrest, Plescia Miranda, Lake Cummins, and grandson Forrest Reid and two great granddaughters, Sydney Colletta and Hazel May.

We wish to thank the wonderful caregivers who cared for Colletta with sincere kindness and compassion. Hilda West, Karla Eldridge. Mary Wilson, Shirley Woodard and Marsha Shepherd.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 25th of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 26th of January in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston.

Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment service at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward The River Oaks Garden Club Memorial Fund, 2503 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77098; Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation, 3152 Little Rd., Ste. 146, Trinity, FL, 34655; Baylor College of Medicine Department of Medicine/ Cardiology, One Baylor Plaza, MS160, Houston, TX, 77030; Houston Baptist University HBU Fund, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX 77074; or to The Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, 6100 Main St., Baker Hall MS-40, Ste. 120, Houston, TX, 77005.