18 Jul 2026 Couple of the Month: Edward F. ‘Sug’ and Joann Privett McMillen
HIS STORY:
I am outgoing, the life of the party, a team builder and a team player. I love people!
Native of: Grady Bono (Faulkner County).
Education: Greenbrier High School graduate, class of 1947. Teletype Training Program, New York City. I was the only person in the state with the training, and I was called to other cities to work on machinery when it broke down.
Work: I was a farmer and worked for the International Shoe Co. After completing the Teletype Training Program, I worked as a linotype operator and a display advertising sales representative at the Log Cabin Democrat for 37 years before retiring. I also worked as a typesetter for Conway Printing and the Arkansas Gazette.
Hobbies: When I was younger, I loved hunting quail and deer, fishing, gardening and raising Black Creek beagles.
Community contributions: When I was mayor of Wooster from 1999 to 2007, I was part of an effort to bring Greers Ferry Water to the local cities in Faulkner County. I worked with other mayors, elected officials (local, state and federal) and citizens and helped build a great team. Greenbrier Mayor Melton Cotton and I flew to Washington, D.C., and testified before a congressional committee, which eventually resulted in receiving grants and loans necessary to build the infrastructure to acquire a quality, dependable water supply for our citizens. The growth we are experiencing now would not be possible if that had not been accomplished through the establishment of Central Arkansas Water as we know it.
Honors: I received the Certificate of Appreciation for 25 years of service on the Greenbrier School Board and was named Wooster Citizen of the Year.
Are there other significant projects you accomplished for your community? Developing the Wooster City Park. We successfully built a local team, including, but not limited to, Marie Wilson, Gary Arnett, the Wooster City Council (and many others), who procured land and developed the much-needed and utilized park. The city’s Fourth of July event is always held there.
HER STORY:
I’m very maternally minded. My dad was killed in an accident when I was 13, so, being the oldest of four girls, I helped my mom (Neta Privett) raise my three sisters. I love children! Before I got too old, I really enjoyed preparing meals for family and friends. I loved making our sons’ favorite dessert for their birthdays. I loved (and miss) cooking for large groups during holidays. Another family gathering annually is what we call Corn Day. Putting corn in the freezer is hot work, however, so good in the winter months.
Native of: I was born at Damascus (Faulkner/Van Buren County line) in the front bedroom where we lived. Our family moved to Michigan when I was 4 years old. So, my entire elementary education was in Flint, Michigan. We moved back to Damascus when I was 13. I graduated from Southside High School, class of 1949.
Children: We have three sons: R.L. “Dickey” McMillen, who passed away in 2023, Donald “Donny” McMillen, and Douglas “Doug” McMillen.
Education: B.S.E. in English literature from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree in information science from the University of Oklahoma.
Work: Arkansas Revenue Office and Hendrix College reference librarian, retired 1995.
Community & church activities: I worship with Christians at a congregation that meets at Martinville (Faulkner County); the building sits on land donated by my grandfather almost 100 years ago. I was a member of a community-based ladies organization called Road Runners, and I helped hold elections in Union and Clifton townships for more than 60 years.
Honors: The first graduating class from Southside High School was made up of six girls, one of whom was my mom. One of the Alumni Board projects I helped with was a framed picture of the first graduating class, which now hangs in the high school. I’m very proud of that. And I was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2021.
Hobbies: When I was younger, I enjoyed sewing and quilting, and I even tried my hand at painting and poetry/writing.
What do you love about living in the 501? So many thoughts go through my mind. The quality of life in Faulkner County continues to improve. Being close to Conway is great: three colleges, job opportunities, shopping, hospitals, great local schools, beautiful streams and natural beauty.
THEIR STORY
We met at a party at a friend’s home. Post-war (late 1940s) for most rural Arkansawyers (my favored word to replace Arkansan) was, at best, basic, practical and mostly poor, especially in my case with the loss of my dad. Dating was so much different then. For the most part, automobiles were few, so when you were invited to a party, it was “if I can find a ride.” And that, in and of itself, was an adventure and somewhat exciting as to who might show up. And you just paired up with someone and maybe even held hands. And that’s what we called “a date.”
Sug’s best friend was my “date” one week. The week following, guess who got there early? When my date from the last week showed up, Sug and I were holding hands. He asked, “Are y’all together?”
That proved to be providential, and we continued to stay in touch if Sug could borrow someone’s farm truck to drive the 15-ish miles to Damascus. My widowed mom did not approve. We lived across the street from Coffee Dan’s, a combination CITGO service station and coffee shop that also served sandwiches and pies. Mom saw Sug park and go inside. She walked across the street and confronted the young suitor. According to reliable sources (the owner, Dan Diapert), you could have heard a pin drop; then mom said, “Don’t come back to see JoAnn!” Sources said that as soon as mom left, a roar of laughter began and continued for quite some time. Everyone in Coffee Dan’s clearly got the message, except one!
Mom’s sister, my Aunt Tress, made my wedding dress, called a local preacher, made my wedding cake, and we were married in her home in Morrilton (Conway County) on May 21, 1949 — 77 years ago. Our love for each other only intensifies as we approach the end of our pilgrim journey.
