At an early age, she confessed her life to Christ and joined Mountain Grove AME Zion Church where she served faithfully as Deaconess, class leader, YAM coordinator, usher board, Stewart board, choir member, and church trips coordinator. Mildred received her early education in Hoke County Schools and she graduated from Lawrence Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland.  She furthered her education at Fayetteville Tech Community College in Early Childhood Education.  She worked at Burlington Industries 20 plus years and then opened a home daycare, which working with children was her ultimate passion.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories are: her loving Husband James McDougald of Raeford NC, one daughter, Tammie Shaw-Mclean (Kelvin) of Raeford, NC, Tramond Shaw of Savannah, Georgia, and Towand Shaw of Raeford, NC; four step-children Jeffrey Judd, Eric McDougald, Steven McDougald, and Shalethia McDougald all of Fayetteville, NC; five granddaughters, Shawante Shaw and Margaret Shaw both of Raeford , NC, Destinee Jones of Fayetteville,NC, Tayiah and TayLynn Shaw of Lumberton, NC; Four grandsons, Vincent Hollingsworth of Raeford, NC and Traymond Shaw Jr., Jordan McKinnon, and Kameron McKinnon all of Fayetteville, NC; two sisters, Lorine Jones and Mary Blue of Raeford, NC; one brother, Marvin Shaw(Rita) of Raeford, NC;  Four sister in laws, Annie McNeill (James), Brenda Quick, (Caesar), Priscilla Simmons (Kenneth) all of Fayetteville, NC, and Cottllia McDougald-Opoku (Prince) of Stafford, Virginia; one brother in law, Douglas McDougald (Octavia) of Laurel, Maryland; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.