Mildred Octavia Prout fell asleep in death peacefully on April 26, 2020 in her home. Born August 9,
1929 in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Theodore (Howie) Johnston and the late Bernise (Tunstall)
Johnston. Educated in the Providence public school system, she did factory work in the jewelry
business for a few years.
At the age of 15 she joined the Church of God and Saints of Christ in Providence, Rhode Island. Mildred
sang in the choir and could sing both alto and baritone. In addition she held titles of both Mary and
Martha on the quorum of the Daughters of Jerusalem and Sisters of Mercy.
In August 1948 she married Arthur (Lem) Crump. To that union were born 2 daughters, Glenna Mangana
of Suffolk, VA, Deborah Cook of Atlanta, GA and one son, Lemuel Crump of Chesapeake, VA.
In 1963 Mildred graduated from the Rhode Island School of Licensed Practical Nursing after which she
worked at the Rhode Island state hospital in Cranston Rhode Island. In 1975 she attended Rhode Island
Jr College where she earned an A.S. and became a registered nurse. She continued her work at the state
hospital, becoming charge nurse. In 1975 she married George H Sawyer, Sr. They had 10 happy years
together enjoying softball games and camping before his death in 1985. In 1988 she married Leroy
Prout who also precedes her in death. Due to an on-the-job injury Mildred was no longer able to work
as a nurse, a profession she truly loved. She took advanced sewing classes and became a master
seamstress, which she enjoyed. Mildred enjoyed many other crafts such as crocheting, soft sculpture
and macrame. She also enjoyed cooking and would often try new recipes. She had a wonderful sense
of humor, always making people laugh. She maintained her sense of humor right down to her last week.
Mildred was preceded in death by 5 brothers, Howard Johnston, Ralph Johnston. David Johnston, Allen
Johnston and Glenn Willis and 2 sisters, Virginia (Tiny) Jett and Patricia (Patty) Watkins. In addition to
her children she is survived by 3 sisters, Marilyn (James) Christy, Fannie (Victor) Mota and Gail (Alfred)
Gomes and 2 brothers, Benjamin Johnston and Steven Willis. She also leaves an aunt, Carol Henries, an
uncle Wilfred Wilkerson, a special niece, Aliyyah Mathews as well as 16 grandchildren, 30 great
grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren , and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mildred Prout’s children wish to thank Bon Secours Hospice Care for their kind, compassionate care of
their mother. “They made our mother comfortable which made things easy for us in accepting the
transition of our mother’s life.” We also appreciate Stephanie Singleton’s work in caring for our mother.
We will be eternally grateful to Diane Perkins for her kind attention to our mother by visiting regularly,
taking our mother on outings, bringing gifts and food. A special thanks to those who stopped by to
offer condolences and bring cards and food for the family.
