A World War II veteran and civil rights activist who celebrated her 100th birthday last month died Friday, according to an obituary notice.
Millie Dunn Veasey, a graduate of St. Augustine's University who was known as "Auntie Dear" to a host of friends and family, was honored in February for a lifetime of achievements. Dozens of people gathered at St. Augustine's to pay tribute to the Raleigh native.
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She was one of six children and graduated from Washington High School in 1942, according to reports. She enlisted in what was then called the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps along with three other black women from Raleigh.
When Veasey was sent abroad as part of the war effort, she served in France and England as part of an all-black, all-female battalion -- the only such unit of its kind.
When Veasey returned to Raleigh, she attended St. Augustine's College thanks to the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1953 with a degree in business administration.
She also hosted the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he visited Raleigh in 1966.
Her cause of death was not immediately available. According to the obituary, Haywood Funeral Home in Raleigh is handling her funeral arrangements.