WEST PARIS – Mildred Annetta Paine, 75, of South Paris, died Monday, May 17, at Ledgeview Living Center.

She was born at home in South Paris, June 15, 1928, the daughter of Ralph and Annie Burnet Johnson. She was the youngest of five children. She attended Paris schools and graduated from the South Paris High School on May 31, 1946 with third highest honors.

At the age of 12 she took an interest in music and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing country music. She was known in the early 50s as “Hillbilly Millie” on the country music show on WKDQ. Her family and friends took pleasure in her wonderful singing voice and guitar playing throughout the years. At the age of 19 she met and married her husband of 56 years, Wilson E. Paine on July 19, 1946. They resided in South Paris.

Both were long time members of the South Paris Baptist Church. Due to their deep faith in the Lord, she faithfully accompanied her husband to where he held Bible studies for the residents at the local nursing homes for many years. She worked for several years in the mid 60s at the Registry of Deeds Office, then in the early 70s as a typesetter at the Advertiser-Democrat in Norway. However, due to her devotion and love for her family, she spent the majority of her adult life not only raising her own family, but providing necessary care for her older siblings.

She was steadfast in her commitment to family and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. In addition to singing and playing the guitar, some of her favorite pastimes included, reading, gardening, traveling to various points of interest in the Eastern United States and Canada and working on her genealogy.

Survivors include a daughter, Charlene Young and her husband, Oran of Norway; a son, Ralph Paine and his wife, Kris of South Paris; grandchildren, Diana Phinney and husband, Brian of South Paris, Randall Young and wife, Tonia of Norway, Mark Young, Jeremiah Paine, Kemson Holyoke and husband, Brad of Norway and Kara Paine; seven great-grandchildren, Matthew, Ashleigh and Emma Phinney, Zoe, Melissa and Zachariah Young and Grace Holyoke.

She was predeceased earlier this year by her beloved husband, Wilson “Eddie” Paine; both of her parents; her sisters, Marion and Doris Johnson; her brothers, Kenneth and Ralph “Jr.” Johnson; and a grandson, Reginald Wilson Paine.

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