Dorothy Iona Inniss McMillan

Mrs. Dorothy Iona Inniss McMillan, native of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, passed on the 2nd of August, 2017 at the age of 92 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Dorothy’s life has been a journey propelled by her faith in God. She touched many lives along the way; from her hometown of San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, to her adopted home of Springfield, Virginia. She grew up in a Christian household and dedicated her life to helping others. She was widowed at a young age with three children, and by God’s grace she began making opportunities out of life’s challenges. At age 43, she immigrated to the United States with dreams of a better life. These dreams ultimately forged a path for her younger children and future generations. She was the eldest child of Nathaniel Inniss and Edna Griffin and wife of the late John D. McMillan of St. Vincent, West Indies. She was the beloved mother of her surviving children Pearl McMillan Tull, Eucline McMillan Griffith, D. Erica Babb Wong, Dianna Babb Coleman, and Fitz-James “Andy” Babb. Dorothy is pre-deceased by two beloved sons Aaron (Bonnie) and Francis McMillan, brothers Cecil Inniss and Alfred Jones, and sisters Viola and Lucille Inniss. She is also predeceased by James M. Babb. She was mother-in-law to Kevin Wong (deceased), Carl Coleman, and Charisse Young-Babb. Grandmother of Wren, Ricardo and Charlyn Griffith, Alicia Tull, Courtney Wong–McGuire, K. Michelle Wong Putty, as well as Chandler and Cameron Babb. She was the great grandmother of Hannah and David (Wren), Rowen and Marin (Ricardo), and Mathias, Compton, and Ayah (Charlyn). She was aunt of Enid, Tony, Gale, Glenda, Evol and Doisca, and also survived by a host of relatives of the Inniss and Bacchus families and lifelong friends including Cleopatra Bailey, Utilma Yearwood, and Kathleen Thomas. Dorothy was affectionately known as “Nana” to many and welcomed everyone she knew into her home and heart. When asked to describe Nana, those who knew her praised her soft-spoken assertiveness. “A young woman should be seen, and not heard,” she would say. What we would grow to learn, though, is that a strong women should fight against all adversity while remaining humble and thankful for all of life’s blessings. Nana left her mark through acts of kindness, without fanfare or boasting. In Trinidad & Tobago, she was self-employed as a seamstress and in her community, she was a founding member of the St. Barnabas On The Hill Anglican Church, Pleasantville, San Fernando. Upon arrival to the U.S. she worked as a domestic for two years then for the Bank of Virginia (currently Wells Fargo Bank) as an clerk in Springfield, VA, she retired from the bank with 20 years of service. Among the many different volunteer work she had done for her community, she loved baking cakes and goodies for the residents celebrating birthdays at the Northern Virginia Training Center. She received several certificates of appreciation for this volunteer work which she did for over 12 years. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 12:00 PM, preceded by a viewing at 11:00 am at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, VA.