Melva Jean Miller

Melva Jean Miller passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Weatherford, Texas. 

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in White Deer with Rev. Dr. Jerry Lane, officiating. Arrangements and burial are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Jean was born September 7, 1930 to Belton and Addie Howard in Chickasha, Oklahoma, along with her brother, Clyde, they grew up on a farm outside of Chichaska. She graduated from Pocasset High School in 1948 in Pocasset, Oklahoma. Jean continued her studies to become a teacher at Oklahoma College for Women in Chichaska. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Education Degree and a teacher certification in 1951. Jean married Joseph James Miller, April 27,1951 in the Holy Catholic Church in Chichaska, where they resided and started a family. Joe and Jean had three children, Phil, Teri, and Rodney. 

In 1961, Joe and Jean purchased the White Deer News in White Deer and the Panhandle Herald in 1970. Jean was a co-publisher for a couple of years at the White Deer News before beginning her teaching career in the third grade at White Deer Elementary. She continued teaching until her retirement in 2000, then spent the next ten years substituting. Jean was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer for over sixty years where she taught and was the director of the catechism classes and a member of the Ladies Altar Society. Jean was also a member of the Pioneer Women’s Society and is charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Joe Miller; her oldest son, Phil Miller; her brother, Clyde Howard, and her niece, Shelly Henderson. 

She is survived by her two children, Teri Stewart of Weatherford, Texas and Rodney Miller of Ninnekah, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Matt Miller of Roswell, New Mexico, Ryan Stewart of Weatherford, Texas, Marc Miller of Justin, Texas, Tosya Kidd of Weatherford, Texas, and Holly Miller of Mansfield, Texas; nine great-grandchildren, Cheyenne and Riley Miller of Rosewell, New Mexico, Landon and Grant Stewart of Weatherford, Texas, Addie and Mason Miller of Justin, Texas, and Koulter, Sutton, and Bowen Kidd of Weatherford, Texas.

Jean loved keeping in touch with teachers she worked with and former students she had the privilege of teaching. She had a love for country music, especially Hank Williams, and always had a big heart for her dogs and cats.

Her grandchildren affectionately called her Meme and will always remember her “Hands’ Off Policy”, her infamous tornado drills, and her memorable story about The Lady Who Lived in the Vinegar Bottle. “Love ya, baby!”