James Harold "Jim" Miller

1934 - 2013

TUPELO – James Harold ""Jim"" Miller, 79, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 10, 1934, in Rienzi to William Cleve Miller and Rosie Jane Lindley Miller. He was a graduate of Cooter High School in Cooter, Mo., and worked in Civil Service for the U.S. government which allowed him to live in various parts of the United States. He married Martha Wascomb Christian on Feb. 14, 1986, and has lived in Tupelo for the past 27 years. He was an active member of Wesleyan United Methodist Church, president of the Men's Club, past president of the Exchange Club, and a member of the Tupelo Civitan Club. He was known as the ""Light Man"" for the 40,000 lights he put up at Christmas, which everyone came to see. He loved music and followed his nephew, Morris ""Marris"" Miller, everywhere he entertained. His hobbies in life were fishing, playing golf and growing ""his tomatoes"" and giving them away. He was an avid fan of the Ole Miss Rebels, Dallas Cowboys, and NASCAR racing.
A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with the Rev. Ray Rooney officiating. Private burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until service time Wednesday only.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Martha Christian Miller of Tupelo; two sons, James ""Allen"" Miller (Melissa) of Hattiesburg and Scott Ross Miller of Thibodaux, La.; one daughter, Tina Sharon Wiggins (Dan) of The Woodlands, Texas; four stepchildren, Donnie Christian (Terri) of Mooreville, Trudy Hutson (David) of Tupelo, Betsy Turner (Tony) of Saltillo and Jamie Burleson of Mantachie; one brother, Robert Eugene Miller of Zion, Ill.; one sister, Margie Gelhar of Waukegan, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and one sister.
Pallbearers will be Michael Ross Miller, David Brooks Miller, Dan Wiggins, Henry Hutson, Noah Roberts, Trey Christian and Shelby Burleson. Honorary pallbearers will be Wesleyan Sunday School Class.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to OI Foundation (Brittle Bone), P.O. Box 630342, Baltimore, MD 21263-0342; Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38802; or Wesley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2122, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.