Chief Yeoman, executive director, church and community booster, master gardener: the Lord has a need for such as these in his kingdom. Thus He translated Milton Kizer to a higher calling June 23, 2010, when he left this world for another. Visitation for Milton is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. Monday, June 28, at Elkins Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at Elkins Chapel at 11 a.m., with Frank Mills officiating. Howard Caperton, Clifford Miles and Doug Trousdale will assist. Milton began his journey 95 years ago in Marietta, Miss., on April 2, 1915, along with his twin, Mildred Morrow. After graduating from Booneville High School in 1937, he enrolled in Sunflower Junior College in Moorehead, Miss., worked in the president's office and graduated in 1939. The years of 1940-41 were spent teaching typing, shorthand and accounting at Wheeler High School in Wheeler, Miss. These two years were interspersed with attending Bowling Green Business College for two summers. Reynolds Metals required his services for 10 months in 1942, after which he joined the U.S. Navy. His job description at Reynolds was to take care of all secretarial work for the project manager. In the Navy during the years 1943-45, he served with the 76th Naval Construction Battalion in the South Pacific. From these efforts he received a commendation from Cmdr. F.L. Endebrock for meritorious accomplishments: Having been entrusted with high military secrets and having contributed to the successful mission to capture the Marianas Islands. After World War II, Milton enrolled in Mississippi State University, where he pursued a business degree while working in the comptroller's office. He graduated in 1947. Later that year, Milton assumed the duties of manager and instructor at Larimore Business School and set out at once to accomplish several goals, which would upgrade the school in whatever way necessary for qualification in the Alabama Associated of Business Colleges, the Southeastern Business College Association and the Council of Business Colleges. In June 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Kizer (the former Doris Davis, of Henderson, Tenn.) bought the school from the Larimores, set up courses, installed modern equipment and employed teachers with higher qualifications. Soon the name Larimore Business School became Larimore Business College. Scores of returning GIs and area students swelled the enrollment to fill the needs of post-war mushrooming industry. Larimore Business College had an excellent reputation for supplying efficient, knowledgeable stenographic personnel for area businesses. Alverson-Draughon purchased Larimore Business College in late 1964. Milton remained there as dean and instructor until 1965. He was hired as deputy director of Community Action Agency in 1965 and held this position until 1978, when he became its executive director. Milton remained in this capacity until his retirement in 1990. Always purpose-driven, Milton secured federal grants for programs designed to help poor in the Quad-Cities. During one of these years, the largest single grant secured by CAA was $893,245 for the operation of the Head Start program. The agency was the grantee for the six HeadStart centers, which are delegated to the school systems in the Lauderdale-Colbert circuit. During two of these years, more than $3.5 million was received in federal grants. Having lived on a farm in rural Mississippi during the Depression years, Milton was well-tuned to the needs and struggles of those existing on a hand-to-mouth basis. Raising local living standards for the poor was a goal dear to his heart. This is evidenced in some of the locales where the "sweat-equity" principle and government grant funds secured through CAA helped build neat, comfortable housing for the underprivileged. Purpose-driven, too, was his dedication to his church and his Lord. At various times he served as educational director, deacon and elder for the Jackson Heights and Darby Drive Churches of Christ. In the '70s, he organized Sunday services for elderly shut-ins at Rolling Acres Nursing Home. He pursued his hobbies with the same fervor as his business endeavors. Frequently going to Wright before daylight to bass fish, he'd nevertheless be at his desk on time to work on a grant or whatever. Golf was a consuming interest until his death and his backyard garden was a work of art. Visitors had to make room for his rat terriers, for he loved them with a passion. Jessica and Tiny are always underfoot or making themselves known. Pre-deceasing Milton were his parents, Clifford Gaines Kizer and Mabel Elledge Kizer; the mother of his children, Doris Davis Kizer; his brothers, Elliot, James, Ellis, Clifford Holmes; and twin sister, Mildred Kizer Morrow. His survivors include his wife, Annette Wilbanks Kizer; Sara Fulford (Sid), Sheffield, Ala., Tommy Kizer (Barbara), Florence, Ala., David Paul Kizer (Nancy), Arab, Ala., Cindy Calvert (John), Madison, Ala.; sister-in-law, Nancy Kizer, of Corinth, Miss.; niece, Clara Jo Burgess (Don), Killen, Ala.; nephew, Jim Kizer (Irene), Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Adam Underwood (Priscilla), Madison, Ala., Zack Underwood, Florence, Ala., Emily Berry (Shane), Florence, Ala., Sheli Daniel (Grant), Collinwood, Tenn., Malorie Casey (Brad), Arab, Ala., Nathan Waugh (Gina), Johnson City, Tenn. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and family members: Adam Underwood, Zack Underwood, Nathan Waugh, Shane Berry, Grant Daniel and Matthew Daniel. Honorary bearers will be Scottie South, Dick Harrison, Martin Murray, Glenn Austin, Darwin Bridges, Lloyd Newton, Don Burgess, Dan Richardson, Howard Caperton, Doug Trousdale, Dr. Robert Mann, Clifford Miles and Johnny Wilbanks. The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Mann, ECM first-floor nursing staff, Scottie South and Anita Bobo, of Southridge Inc., Ambassadors of Love from Cross Point Church of Christ, Eddress Spencer, M-H Rehab and Mid-South Hospice for their infinite care and patience. Memorials may be made to the "Missions" Cross Point Church of Christ, 1350 Cox Creek Blvd., Florence, AL 35633, or "Library" Heritage Christian University, 3625 Helton Drive, Florence, AL 35630. Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, is assisting the family. You may sign the online register book at elkinsfh.com.