Carmen Adkins Milner, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at home on April 29th at the age of 61 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Carmen was born May 7th, 1963 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the baby of 5 daughters to William and Norma Adkins, growing up to be "one of those Adkins girls".

She married her childhood friend's older brother, Tracy Milner, at the age of 19 after Tracy came home from college to see his little sister's friend had turned into a beautiful young woman standing in his kitchen. It was at that moment he knew he would spend the rest of his life with her.  They had a loving marriage for 43 years that also brought them two beautiful daughters that were the joy of her life.  Carmen loved being a mother and she was a great one!  She prioritized doing fun things with her daughters.  With many nieces and nephews, she was a favorite aunt known for having the best snack drawer and for letting everyone have fun.

The family grew up together at Western Hills Baptist Church, where their faith and fellowship ran deep. For a time, Carmen and her sister Ramona took charge of the Wednesday night dinners that were the highest attended Wednesday night dinners.  Carmen loved to cook and she was the best at it.  She always cooked much more than anyone could ever eat and her dishes were always the most anticipated at family get-togethers.

Carmen was many more things: an extremely talented artist, a strong hard worker, a bus driver (who was of course a favorite), and loved spending time in her yard so that it always looked good.  She was spontaneous and was never afraid to start a project at home or pick up a stray dog.  Tracy never knew what he would walk into when he returned home from a work trip, a knocked-down wall or a new dog.

Carmen was an extremely loving, fun person – she could always make you laugh.  She was extremely loyal and giving, always there for people when they needed something.  She loved to give (to a fault) – example she would tip the people who handed her food in the drive thru window.  Everyone loved Carmen.

When Carmen became "CeCe", she was a fun grandmother – always showering the grandkids with treats, candy and gifts.  She was so proud of them and bragged on them all the time.

We all knew we were loved by her even until her last day – she was still giving and prioritizing others in her life.  She will be so missed by her husband, her children, her many sisters, her grandkids and everyone who knew and loved her.

Carmen was preceded in death by her father, William S. Adkins Jr., her mother, Norma Adkins Moore and her sister, Suzanne Aldredge.

Carmen is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Tracy Milner, her sisters Lucy (Pat) Boose, Kayron (Donnie) Vercher and Ramona (late husband Rocky) Berlin; her loving daughters and their families, Sara and Scott Lasseigne, children Dixon, Evie and Goldie and Charlsie and Danny Reamer, children Josey and June; and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

A celebration of Carmen's life will be held at Rose Park Baptist Church in Shreveport on Monday, May 5th at 6pm with visitation beginning at 5pm.

Carmen's legacy of love, compassion, and generosity will continue to inspire all who knew her.