Mildred Lucile (Leavenworth) Middleton was born July 24, 1911 in Wellston, Oklahoma where her wonderful parents were pastoring a Free Methodist Church. Her father later became a District Superintendent. Her mother was a very godly woman, a real saint.

When Mildred was 16 years old, God called her to be a song evangelist. During the following year, she began singing and playing the piano in services where Uncle Bud Robinson and other great ministers were the evangelists. She traveled and sang in a quartet of girls during the depression years. Times were hard but these were glorious days.

In 1933, she entered Training School for Christian Workers, which is now Azusa Pacific University, and graduated in 1936 as valedictorian of her class. The title of her valedictory address was "The Challenge of the Cross."

While Mildred was in school, she met Ralph Middleton who sang in the college male quartet. They were married soon after she graduated. Through the next 25 years, they traveled and sang in more than one hundred churches, returning many times to some of these churches.

After they were married seven years, God gave them Shirley Jean and then fifteen months later, Sharron Jane - two attractive daughters. As the girls grew up, they traveled with Ralph and Mildred, playing the piano, giving readings and singing together. Both girls, also, graduated from high school as valedictorians. They married faithful Christian husbands who have been active in the church. God has blessed them with fine homes and dear children who love God and who have been honor students. Mildred has said, "All praise be unto our wonderful Lord. He is so worthy of it all."

Mildred's life was blessed with many pleasant events. She treasured the award received from Pasadena Beautification Foundation for her lovely yard on which she spent a great deal of time. She and Ralph took trips to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, the Middle East, Europe, Mexico, forty-seven states, and many times up and down the West Coast, visiting beautiful places. How interesting all of this was to Mildred. God was so good to her and how she loved Him!

Ralph preceded Mildred in death on November 7, 1984. Mildred is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley Jean and Doug Schmidt from San Diego who are moving to Grants Pass, Oregon, and Sharron and Howard Albertson from Dallas. She will be missed by her six grandchildren: Herb Albertson and his wife Jenny from Oklahoma City; Shari Albertson from Olathe, Kansas; Shirlene and her husband Jeff Kazmaier from Olathe, Kansas; Heather Albertson from Dallas; Shirean and her husband Quentin Nunnery from San Diego and Arthur Schmidt also from San Diego. She is survived by three great-grand children, Abigail, Benjamin and Celeste Albertson from Oklahoma City.

On July 11, 2000, Mildred Middleton took her last and most marvelous trip of all — to Heaven, where some of her dearest loved ones and friends have already gone. She knew it would be worth it all. Mildred wrote, "God has given me precious friends everywhere, like you. I loved you so much. Be true to Jesus. Let's all meet together in the Land where they never say 'Goodbye.' "

Celebration of Mildred's Life with Her Favorite Songs and Verses
July 16, 2000 - 2:00 p.m.
Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene
Pasadena, California

Greeting by Pastor Willis Gray, long-time family friend

"He Leadeth Me" Angela Whitaker, organist and family friend
        He leadeth me! Oh, blessed tho't!
        Oh, words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
        Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
        Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

     Refrain
        He leadeth me, He leadeth me.
        By His own hand He leadeth me.
        His faithful follower I would be,
        For by His hand He leadeth me.

        Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
        Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
        By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
        Since 'tis His hand that leadeth me!

        Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
        Nor ever murmur nor repine.
        Content, whatever lot I see,
        Since 'tis my God that leadeth me!

        And when my task on earth is done,
        When by Thy grace the vic-try's won,
        E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
        Since God thro' Jordan leadeth me.

Eulogy by Howard Albertson, son-in-law

"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" by Heather Albertson, granddaughter

Psalm 91 by Shirlene (Albertson) Kazmaier, granddaughter

"Abide with Me" Shirley Jean Schmidt, daughter
                Shirean (Schmidt) Nunnery, granddaughter

"I'm Free" and "Finally Home!" by Sharron Albertson, daughter

"God Leads Us Along"
        In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet,
        God leads His dear children along.
        Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
        God leads His dear children along.

     Refrain
        Some thro' the waters some thro' the flood,
        Some thro' the fire, but all thro' the Blood.
        Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song
        In the night season and all the day long.

        Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
        God leads His dear children along.
        Away up in glory, eternity's day,
        God leads His dear children along.

Thoughts from Mildred's Family by Rev. Doug Schmidt, son-in-law

"After" and "God Hath Not Promised" by Herb Albertson, grandson
        Jeff Kazmaier, grandson-in-law and Art Schmidt, grandson

"Jesus Never Fails"
        Earthly friends may prove untrue, Doubts and fears assail;
        One still loves and cares for you, One who will not fail.

     Refrain
        Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails.
        Heav'n and earth may pass away, But Jesus never fails.

        Tho' the sky be dark and drear, Fierce and strong the gale,
        Just remember He is near, And He will not fail.

        In life's dark and bitter hour Love will still prevail.
        Trust His everlasting pow'r; Jesus will not fail.

"Thank You" by Shirean Nunnery, granddaughter

"Perfect Peace" by Shari Albertson, granddaughter

"Jesus Is All I Need"
        When I am burdened, or weary and sad, Jesus is all I need.
        Never He fails to uplift and make glad. Jesus is all I need.
        
     Refrain
        All that I need He will always be,
        All that I need till His face I see,
        All that I need thro' eternity. Jesus is all I need.

        When thro' the valley He calls me to go, Jesus is all I need.
        He will be with me to cheer me, I know. Jesus is all I need.

Tribute from the Church Pastor, Willis Gray

"A Child of the King"
        My Father is rich in houses and lands;
        He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
        Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
        His coffers are full - He has riches untold.

     Refrain
        I'm a child of the King! A child of the King!
        With Jesus, my Saviour, I'm a child of the King!

        My Father's own Son, the Saviour of men,
        Once wondered o'er earth as the poorest of them;
        But now He is reigning forever on high,
        And will give me a home in heav'n by and by.

        I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
        A sinner by choice, an alien by birth!
        But I've been adopted; my name's written down.
        I'm an heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown!

        A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
        They're building a palace for me over there!
        Tho' exiled from home, yet still I may sing:
        "All glory to God, I'm a child of the King!"

Benediction by Pastor Willis Gray

Mrs. Mildred Middleton, mother of Shirley Jean Schmidt and Sharron Albertson, is breathing celestial air as of Tuesday morning, July 11, at 5:00 a.m. PST. After nearly 89 years of a wonderful life with Jesus leading her all the way, she woke up in Glory and found herself at home.

Memorials may be sent to Mission Aviation Fellowship, PO Box 3202, Redlands, California 92374, 909-794-1151.