Millicent Parker-Creighton

Born in Jamaica, West Indies, on November 24, 1947, our beloved Millicent "Millie" Parker-Creighton began her journey in life in May Pen, Clarendon. Millicent was the oldest daughter of Pearl (Smith) Barber and Gilbert Jackson. As a young girl, she cared for her siblings during her parents' absence. Being no stranger to hard work, she recognized very early in life the value of discipline and diligence.

After leaving Jamaica in the late 1970s, Millicent moved to Canada, where she spent some time before coming to the United States. As a single mother, she settled in New Jersey where she worked as a nursing assistant at a local hospital while raising her three children: Roger, Sophia, and Claudia. She enjoyed her work, but her desire to make others happy incited a yearning within her to achieve more. From New Jersey, she moved to Orlando, where she returned to her passion for the culinary arts which was incubated since age 12. She understood that combining her cooking abilities with her love for people could make for a fascinating career. Soon she made the decision to start her own restaurant, hence giving rise to Millie's Jamaican Café. Preparing food for others to enjoy was at the depth of Millicent's heart, and as a restaurant owner, she found her true calling in life.

In 2004, she married Winston Creighton and acquired three step-children: Craig, Stacey and Tracey.

Millicent did not have to enroll in an official university to acquire any skills for success in life. She achieved and refined her business and life skills through the University of Real Life and Common Sense. Through her numerous interactions with the folks who patronized her restaurant, and excellent reviews about her work, Millicent became known as the "Queen of Homestyle Caribbean fare." She surpassed all odds as a woman of color in American society and prevailed as a successful restaurant owner. She was loved by all who encountered her. She had such a warm personality, that on the very first meeting a person became intoxicated by Millicent's welcoming smile and good-natured manner. She quickly became known to many as "Mama Millie."

Millicent thrived in the restaurant business for over 15 years. In 2001, she won the critic's choice for best African/Soul/Caribbean restaurant in the Orlando Sentinel's Foodie awards. What a tremendous accomplishment for a West Indian woman who came to this country with a passion and a dream! Her vision was to unite West Indians and Americans alike through the stomach and with a warm smile. She accomplished this task very easily. Friends can attest to the number of people they have come to know, and to how many lasting relationships they developed through "Mama Millie" or "Ms. Millie". She was like the mother everyone wished for and some were lucky to find. Millicent touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity. A close family friend described Millicent as "a person who touched everyone she met; she always made you feel like family." When asked why she felt so committed to the restaurant business, Millicent always responded: "This is something I enjoy doing, and when I feel I am making my customers happy, I realize how important my work is." As you can tell, Millicent was a very hard-working woman who accomplished her vision. Furthermore, she had a great sense of humor. Millicent loved to laugh, and always told a funny story to keep everyone around her amused. Her laughter was loud, clear, and contagious; and after walking away, a person could still feel her cheerfulness which added optimism to any gloomy day.

In 2012 the University Plaza which was home to her restaurant closed. In order to reopen her restaurant, Millicent would have to reinvest a significant amount of capital to restart her business in a new location. In effect, Millicent realized she would have to work twice as hard as she had done in her younger years. Ultimately she decided to close the doors to her loyal customers and retired from the restaurant business. Her absence from the restaurant business left a void in the hearts and stomachs of many. They grieved, and craved her one-of a-kind Caribbean cuisine, and the warm welcome she provided. Nevertheless, she continued to build and maintain the relationships she had established in the community
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Millicent reallocated her time to focus on her health and family. She made frequent visits with her children, grandchildren and, on occasion, took vacations that she enjoyed. Millicent was a Christian woman of tremendous faith. Her faith was unrelenting and pulled her through the rough edges of life until the end. She was a member of The Fountain Head Baptist Church in Oviedo, Florida.

Our dearly beloved Ms. Millie was diagnosed with cancer in 2014; however, she was unwavering in her determination and positive attitude. She fought her battle with grace but ultimately lost the fight to cancer. Millicent, who was ready and at peace with her Creator, upheld her upbeat personality and her trademark sense of humor until the very end.

She passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2016, surrounded by her loving husband, her children and close family friends.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2016, beginning 4:00 PM, at Faith Assembly of God, Michigan Street Campus, 2740 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of Millicent Parker-Creighton to her church's Women's Ministry for cancer education and prevention:
C/O Women's Health Ministries
Fountain Head Baptist Church
157 Oviedo Boulevard
Oviedo, Florida 32765
Make checks payable to:
Fountain Head Baptist Church
(Memo: Health & Wellness)
Note: Fountain Head Baptist Church is a 501C(3) recognized entity with the Department of Treasury. TIN: 59-3587954. All donations are tax deductible.

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