Johnny “Bobby” Miller, 83, of White Hall, Arkansas, entered his glorious eternity on September 3, 2023. Born June 28, 1940, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Mary Etta and John Gaston Miller of Kingsland, he was lovingly raised by Huey and Reba Morgan from the age of 12, after his mother passed.
Johnny was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda McClain Miller (d. 2006); his parents and the Morgans; sister Betty Jean (Miller) Gill; brothers Billy Miller and Sammy Miller, as well as Gary Morgan and Nancy Morgan.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 14 years, Patsy Carolyn Rawls Miller (White Hall); and two daughters, Dana Miller Shaw (Tim) of Greenbrier, Arkansas; and Alison Miller Melson (Tom) of Little Rock, Arkansas; He is survived by three grandsons, Will Conner Smith of Rogers, Arkansas; Samuel Thomas Melson of Little Rock, and Owen Miller Melson of Breckenridge, Colorado. In addition, he is survived by bonus daughters Sherri Rawls Congleton (Lee) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Nita Rawls Bargen of Hot Springs, and Carrie Rawls Davis (Mike) of Sherrill, Arkansas; as well as bonus grandchildren Mika Davis Watkins (Drew) and Rainey Davis Pierce of Sherrill, Justin Flumm (Brooke) of Prairie Grove, Allison Congleton Bruton (Adam) of Sheridan; Kyle Bargen (Ashley) of Hot Springs, Blake Bargen of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Keanna Lilly (Caleb) of Hot Springs; and great grandchildren Cambrie, Millie and Brooks Watkins; Bronc Pierce, Magnus Bargen; Mia Lilly, Caston and Carter Flumm and Adelyn Bruton.
He also is survived by two brothers Roger (Dianne) Miller of Newport News, Virginia and Elbert (Rose) Miller of Kingsland, both of whom he loved very much; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, close friends and extended family.
Johnny was a 1958 graduate of Kingsland High School. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduation, where he traveled to 34 countries and learned skills that would serve him a lifetime. He retired from International Paper in Pine Bluff where he served for 40 years and retired as the pulp mill maintenance foreman in 2001.
Johnny became a Christian in 1962 and was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church where he worshipped for almost 60 years. In addition to being an ordained deacon, he started the GLORY Sunday School Class in 1963, which continues to this day, and served as a teacher for 50 years. He spent his life living as an example of what a true Christian looks like.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved camping with his lifetime friends at Lake Ouachita, hunting and fishing with his three grandsons and dancing and singing. He instilled in his family a love of the outdoors and music, and a strong work ethic.
Johnny often said the Lord blessed him with two “super wives.” He met Wanda at the Chicken Basket drive-in and when he didn’t get her number, he called every McClain in the phone book until he found her. His persistence paid off, as they enjoyed a 43-year marriage. In 2009, Johnny met Patsy and was immediately grinning ear to ear, smitten and taken aback by how quickly they fell in love. They married three months after meeting and had an incredible 14 years together. He loved working in the yard and garden with Patsy, seeing her excited over new flowers blooming. They would sit and share morning coffee and evening Dr. Peppers on the back patio. He also loved serenading her with songs by Elvis, Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty as they danced in the kitchen. They always looked forward to the visits from all their grandchildren.
Johnny never met a stranger and was blessed with some amazing friends. Quick witted and with a loving personality, even in his last days, Johnny would tear up saying what a blessed life he had. He brought joy to so many people and all were blessed to have known him as a daddy, husband, papaw and friend.
Special thanks to his incredible care team at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, especially those on 5E and in the VA Hospice Unit, your compassion and love for him is so appreciated by the Miller family. In addition, thank you to Bill Beadle with EMT in Pine Bluff.
Family visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 7226 Sulphur Springs Rd., Pine Bluff, AR 71603, with a memorial service following at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Bro. Howard Loetscher will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Salem Missionary Baptist Church Youth Program, 7226 Sulphur Springs Rd., Pine Bluff, AR, 71603; or the or the Alzheimer’s Association, 11300 N. Rodney Parham Road, Ste. 200, Little Rock, AR, 72212 or alz.org, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
12 Comments
My condolences to the family. Mr Miller was one of the kindness person I have met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family!
Alison and Dana, God bless you in this sad time.
What a wonderful Christian man. Mr. Miller was a great example. I look forward to seeing him again in eternity.
Alison, I recall how much you talked about your Daddy and how much you loved him. He gave you love for people and the great outdoors which has blessed you and those of us lucky to have crossed your path. May he rest in peace. My condolences to all the family. Love and prayers.
Prayers
What a man! To say that Brother Johnny was one of the “good ones” doesn’t do him justice. He was one of the best men, role models, and brothers in Christ I will ever know! Fairly recently, at lunch after church, Bro. Johnny began laughing and carrying on as he liked to do. He put his arm around me and began asking if I remembered when “this” and “that” happened back in his hometown. Obviously I didn’t as I hadn’t been born yet, but as I thought about it later, I smiled. I didn’t know whether to be more flattered that he thought me good enough to be Kingsland, Arkansas material … or that he had mistaken me for my dear Uncle Leon (my Mom’s brother). Bro. Johnny was a proud Kingsland Greyhound through and through!
He will be missed! All my love to you Patsy and to the girls!
I am so sorry, Mrs. Patsy and family. Prayers for you all.
My Condolences to you and Family.
What a beautifully written remembrance to a man who was something to everyone: husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, brother…the list could go on. He filled in gaps wherever there was a need. Johnny’s work ethic is a truth. He and Patsy went with our church to Nicaragua for a mission trip and he never quit! Always positive, uplifting, funny…what a wonderful person to add to the Heavenly Host. He will be missed, but greatly remembered!
I worked for Mr Johnny in the 131 maintenance shop at International Paper Mill Pine Bluff.
Mr Johnny was one of the best men I have ever had the privilege of working with.
To Mr Johnny’s wife and family. I am praying for you all for strength, and guidance during this difficult time and also for the peace of mind knowing that Mr Johnny has crossed over to be with our lord. Rest in peace my dear friend you will be missed by many and remembered in all our hearts.
I am the grand daughter of his late brother – Bill Miller. Hugs and condolences to you all during this tough time. You all are in our thoughts and prayers!
I loved your Daddy, Alison and Dana. He and Wanda, then Patsy were so kind and welcoming to their home. It hurts to say goodbye, but it’s temporary.. Johnny’s free of pain, of sadness and confusion. It’s all clear now. He’s in Heaven!
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