
Mildred passed away peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, surrounded by her loved ones. Fondly known as “Millie,” she was born on July 13, 1920 in Alleene, Ark., the second of Oscar and Nellie Seastrunk’s eight children.
Early in life, Millie married Howard Gregory, a talented electronics technician who served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. Their only child, William “Hub” Gregory, followed his father’s footsteps into the military, retiring from the U.S. Army with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.
With the inspiration of her fourth-grade teacher, Millie decided her life goal was to become a teacher herself. After earning a bachelor’s degree with honors from Little Rock University in 1964, she obtained a Master of Science in Education from the State College of Arkansas in 1971. Millie taught elementary school in Arkansas for more than 30 years, retiring in 1993.
While living in Little Rock, Millie frequented a small local restaurant, Hamburger Heaven, and struck up a friendship with the Greek owner, Theodore Kanakis. They fell in love and were married until his death 25 years later.
Millie’s strong Christian belief and a dedication to her family, friends, and community guided her life. She was a longtime Sunday school teacher at both Baptist and Greek Orthodox churches; a volunteer at the Two Rivers Museum in Ashdown, Ark.; and a member of the Little River County Library Board, Daughters of Penelope, and the Arkansas Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Millie is preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Howard Gregory; husband, Theodore Kanakis; sisters, Agnes Thompson and Dixie Tong; and brothers, Earl and Dale Seastrunk. She is survived by her sisters, Verna Roberson and Lucy Welch; brother, Paul “Demp” Seastrunk; cherished son, William “Hub” Gregory and his wife, Lola; granddaughter, Bobbi Gruner and her husband, Kurt; grandson, William Gregory, M.D. and his wife, Karen; 4 great-grandchildren, Madison, Brookelyn, Jake, and Emily; 2 great-grand god children, Nathan and Lucas; and 2 great, great-grandchildren children, McKinnley and Hadley.
As per her wishes, a funeral service will not be held. Instead, family and friends are encouraged to donate in Millie’s name to Houston Shaggy Dog Rescue (www.houstonshaggydogrescue.org), her great-grand dog Tater’s alma mater.