John Eldon MILLER

John 02 Mar 1929 - 18 Jun 2014
Ruby 11 Aug 1932 - 17 May 2022

Marriage: 05 Nov 1949

John Eldon Miller son of Green H. Miller and Annie (Gray) Miller. Ruby Lenora Robertson Miller first child of Homer Robertson and Marie Robertson.

*Obituary Eddie's Family Funeral Home
John Eldon Miller
March 2, 1929 - June 18, 2014

John Eldon Miller, 85, of Melbourne, passed away June 18, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born in Melbourne, Arkansas, March 2, 1929, to Green H. Miller and Annie Gray Miller, he was a resident of Izard County for 84 of his 85 years. He married Ruby Lenora Robertson on Nov. 5, 1949. She survives him along with their three children: David E. Miller and wife, Janett, of Melbourne, Martha Miller of Little Rock, and Naomi Roper of Melbourne.

Other survivors include one sister Margaret Wamack of Paragould, sister in law, Beulah Miller of Melbourne, and eight grandchildren and spouses: Alecia Bray and Eric, Matt Rush and Amber, John David Miller and Tiffney, Merinda Jackson and Chris, Hannah McWilliams and Clayton, all of Melbourne, and Maggie Garrett and Mike of Cabot, Brian Harriman of Fayetteville, and John Harriman and McCall of Little Rock. He is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Those who predeceased him are his parents, step father Walter Smith, brothers Lowell, Robert, Tom, JC, Charles, GH Jr., and sisters Zada and Naomi.

He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Arkansas State University in 1949 and had plans to become a doctor, but his year long bout with rheumatic fever during his teen years disqualified him from attending medical school. After a brief period of working in the family retail business, he served four year as Izard County Clerk. He then went to work for Reynolds Metal Co. in Saline County, after which he returned home and opened an insurance agency, title abstract business, real estate brokerage, and began raising chickens.

In 1958, he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives and began his 40 years of service in 1959, holding many positions including Chair of Joint Budget Committee, Chair of House Revenue and Tax, and Speaker of the House. He also served on numerous boards including, OBU, Williams Baptist, Easter Seals, WRPDD.

His greatest joy was helping others. He was active in church service as Sunday School teacher, song leader, Deacon, lay minister, and was a lifelong member of Melbourne First Baptist Church.
Visitation will be Friday, June 20 from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm at the John E. Miller Auditorium at Ozarka College in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 am at the Melbourne First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Miracle Village International through First Baptist Church of Melbourne, P.O. Box 335, Melbourne, AR 72556.

Obituary provided courtesy of Eddie's Family Funeral Home Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas. Published Jun 2014 © Copyright 2012 - 23 Eddie's Family Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.


And his wife,
Ruby Robertson Miller
August 11, 1932 - May 17, 2022

Ruby Lenora Robertson Miller, age 89, died May 17, 2022, at home in Melbourne in the presence of loved ones. She was born August 11, 1932, at Manila, Arkansas, as the first child of Homer and Marie Robertson. She married John Eldon Miller on November 5, 1949.

A PK (preacher's kid) and a lifelong Southern Baptist, much of her life revolved around the church, especially the music. She played the piano or organ for Melbourne First Baptist Church, her home church, for 62 years. She also worked in the family business, The Miller Agency, which included insurance, land title, real estate, and farming. She held down the fort and raised three children while John tended to his work as a state representative for 40 years.

She loved beautiful flowers, knitting, playing cards (Pitch and Rook), and collecting glassware. Watching her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren play sports was one of her favorite pastimes, along with rooting for the Razorbacks and the Cardinals. She enjoyed cooking, and as long as she was able, made a point to provide Sunday lunch every week for her family; it was common for her to invite strangers and guest speakers who attended the morning Sunday service to eat. Italian Cream Cake was one of her specialties. She also loved to travel, a trait she passed down to her children. Ruby was a generous person, who gave her time and energy to friends and family.

Her parents preceded her in death, as well as her husband John and sister Rebecca Robertson Moore. Survivors include her three children: David Miller and wife Janett, Melbourne; Martha Miller, Little Rock; and Naomi Miller, Melbourne; eight grandchildren: Alecia Bray (Eric), John David Miller (Tiffney), Hannah McWilliams (Clayton), Maggie Garrett (Mike), Matthew Rush (Amber), Merinda Jackson (Chris), John Harriman, and Brian Harriman; and 13 great grandchildren: Alex Bray, Carter Bray, Isabella Bray, John Ethan Miller, Ella Beth Miller, Layla McWilliams, Conner McWilliams, Allie Garrett, Annie Rush, Emma Rush, Penny Jackson, Jude Jackson, Beau Jackson, Porter Harriman and Payton Harriman. Other survivors include one brother, Doyne Robertson (Martha), and two sisters, Ruth Carneal (Raymon), and Rachell Mathis (Mike); and her ever faithful companion, Fru Fru.

The family is grateful beyond measure for the help of Cindy Woodruff, who provided care for many years and made it possible for Ruby to stay at home in the final years of her life. The family would like to express a special thanks to Gwen Woods who recently provided additional care and support; and would additionally like to extend gratitude to David Malland for the friendship he provided to her while caring for John after he became ill.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11 am at the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, and the service will follow at noon. Memorials may be given to Miracle Village, a mission delivering clean water, and health and education services to villages in northern Peru (P.O. Box 890, Melbourne, AR 72556), or a charity of your choice. Arrangements in the care of Eddie's Family Funeral Home.

Pallbearers: Eric Bray, Mike Garrett, John Harriman, Chris Jackson, Clayton McWilliams, John David Miller, and Matt Rush

Honorary Pallbearers: Mike Cone, Harlin Hames, David Malland, Kenny Pitts, Carroll Prewitt, and Jack Yancey.

Obituary provided courtesy of Eddie's Family Funeral Home Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas. Published May 2022 © Copyright 2012 - 23 Eddie's Family Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.

Contributed on 2/25/23 by sandhollow
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