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Established 1948 
Denison
- A memorial service for Jessie Elizabeth Miller, 80, was scheduled for
Monday morning, December 23, 2002 at the First Presbyterian Church in
Denison. Dannel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jessie Elizabeth Miller passed away on December 20, 2002 after a courageous battle with cancer. She lived a life of grace, good humor, and devotion to others. Jessie was born on July 17, 1922 and was known by "Jay" by her husband and friends. Although she was raised in an orphanage from the age of 5, she remained close to her widowed mother and 4 sisters. She wrote a wonderful autobiography about their early lives in Pennsylvania. Jessie married Kenneth Edward Miller on December 4, 1942. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together they raised 5 children and could proudly claim 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Jessie became a veteran traveler as she followed the career of her Air Force husband. They were stationed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Alabama as well as Guam, England and Germany. They enjoyed travel throughout Europe, Australia, Japan and Russia - appreciating fine art museums and various adventures. Jessie finally fulfilled her dream of a college education late in life, completing degrees at Grayson County College and Texas Women's University. She had a brief but stimulating career as a Special Education teacher in Denison and Calera, Oklahoma. Jessie was active for many years in Sherman's League of Women's Voters and was a forward-thinking, compassionate individual. Jessie is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband and her children: Carolyn Lawrence, Patricia Erickson, John Miller, Cindy Wyatt, Jim Miller and their spouses. Grandchildren are Jennifer Kaltenbach, Amy Nyman, Jessica Kaltenbach, Dawn Vargas, Brooke Mitchell, Chris Erickson, Doug Erickson, Jeff Erickson, Greg Erickson, Andy Miller, Heather Miller, Mark Miller, Chad Tuley, Matt Tuley, Dustin Miller, Jameson Miller, Carpenter Wyatt, Sallisa Wyatt and their various spouses and children. Jessie is also survived by 3 of her sisters, Ethel Pope, Leona Pope, Eleanor Starr; their spouses and many beloved nieces and nephews. On Monday, December 23 a private family committal service at Cedarlawn Memorial Park was held prior to the memorial service. The memorial service for Jessie Elizabeth Miller was held Monday morning, December 23, 2002 at the First Presbyterian Church in Denison. Rev. Martha Murchison of the church officiated. If desired, memorials may be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County, Sherman, Texas.   The Herald Democrat November 16, 2010 Another of the Greatest Generation has died. Kenneth Miller - modest war hero - bomber pilot, beloved father - passed away Sunday morning. He was weeks away from making his personal goal of his 93rd birthday, until he broke his hip 10 days ago. Dannel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Services were held Wednesday afternoon, November 17, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Denison. Interment followed at Cedarlawn Cemetery. Ken was born December 7, 1917, son of Sadie and Herman Miller in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was proud of his Swiss-German/Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. He was the youngest of 3 children, but he stood out with early evidence of artistic giftedness. By age 10, he was sketching animals, Clipper ships, everything. His parents supported this talent by supplying ink and paint - though his father never quite understood his son who wasn't interested in being a "ballplayer." Ken was also a lifelong singer with a beautiful tenor voice. His whole family sang - harmonizing together at church and at home around the instrument his father played, the Zinther. As a young man, Ken even sang with a big band, the Harry Romo Band. Ken dreamed of being a commercial artist and got offered the big job in New York, but it came too late. He was too ethical to quit a job he had just started at Bethlehem Steel. Later, his fate also intervened in the form of "Uncle Sam." Ken joined the Army/Air Force and was later tagged as a good candidate for pilot school, where he got the highest score on his final exam. His poor eyesight almost kept him from going, but as he said, "they needed warm bodies." He flew 75 missions in his B-25 bomber - mostly in the Pacific Theater. He sketched and painted watercolors when he had down time. Some of his renderings of planes and weapons were so accurate that the War Department wouldn't let him release them until the war was over. Some of his war art is now displayed at Perrin Field Museum, as well as the Commemorative Air Force Air Power Museum in Midland. He also painted nose art on the bombers in his Squadron - some a little risque ' per the request of various pilots. He preferred funny ones with "a play on words." There are probably some examples resting in airplane grave yards somewhere. Ken fell hard for Jessie Elizabeth Carpenter and boldly presented her with a diamond ring at a party. - before he had even officially proposed. She fell for it and they married in 1942, eventually producing 5 children. They were both proud of saying, "we raised 5 kids on a Captain's pay" - a rank Ken felt he stayed at too long! He stayed with the Air Force for 26 years and achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. Ken's second career was a joy and surprise to himself and all of us. He re-entered college and finished a Masters in history and government. He taught at Grayson County College for 10 years - and was a natural. He was the instructor for his own wife when she returned to college at age 48 - famously giving her a grade of "B " rather than the "A" she felt she deserved! Ken retired shortly after the last child left home so that he and "Jay" could travel the world. They visited every corner of the globe including Russia, Japan, Europe, Australia and most of the United States. After 60 years of marriage, Jay died in 2002. Ken continued to life his life with grace and gusto. This included eventually finding a great second love in his life - Ruth Pierce. They have enjoyed traveling together and sharing their mutual passion for art over the last 7 years. Ruth has acted as a great custodian of Ken's art and added so much to his life. Ken is survived by his 5 children and their families: Carolyn Lawrence and her husband, Lee, of Anna; Pat Erickson and husband, Carl, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; John Miller and wife, Sue, of Sherman; Cindy Wyatt and husband, Frank, of Wichita Falls; and Jim Miller and wife, Patty, of Valencia, California. Grandchildren are Jennifer Kaltenbach, Amy Nyman, Jessica Kaltenbach, Dawn Erickson, Brooke Mitchell, Chris Erickson, Doug Erickson, Jeff Erickson, Greg Erickson, Andy Miller, Heather Kurera, Chad Tuley, Matt Tuley, Carpenter Wyatt, Dustin Miller, Jamison Miller, Katy Douglas, and Alex Douglas. He has many great-grandchildren, whom he also treasured. If desired, donations may be made in Ken's name to any Veterans' organization or to Guardian Hospice, Sherman, Texas.  Margaret Lynn Miller 1959 - 1960 daughter of Jessie E. & Kenneth E. Miller DENISON - A memorial service for Jessie Elizabeth Miller, 80, was
held Monday morning, December 23, 2002 at the First Presbyterian
Church in Denison. Dannel Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Jessie Elizabeth Miller passed away on December 20, 2002 after a
courageous battle with cancer. She lived a life of grace, good humor and
devotion to others. Jesse was born on July 17, 1922 and was known as "Jay" by her husband
and friends. Although she
was raised in an orphanage from the age of five, she remained close to her widowed mother and 4 sisters. She wrote a wonderful autobiography about their early lives in Pennsylvania. Jesse married Kenneth Edward Miller on December 4, 1942. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together they raised 5 children and can proudly claim 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Jessie became a veteran traveler as she followed the career of her Air Force husband. They were stationed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas and Alabama as well as Guam, England and Germany. They enjoyed travel throughout Europe, Australia, Japan and Russia, appreciating fine art museums and various adventures. Jessie finally fulfilled her dream of a college education late in life, completing degrees at Grayson County College and Texas Women's University. She had a brief but stimulating career as a Special Education Teacher in Denison and Calera, Oklahoma. Jessie was active for many years in Sherman's League of Women's Voters and was a forward-thinking, compassionate individual. Jessie is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband and her children: Carolyn Lawrence, Patricia Erickson, John Miller, Cindy Wyatt, Jim Miller and their spouses. Grandchildren are Jennifer Kaltenbach, Amy Nyman, Jessica Kaltenbach, Dawn Vargas, Brooke Mitchell, Chris Erickson, Doug Erickson, Jeff Erickson, Greg Erickson, Andy Miller, Heather Miller, Mark Miller, Chad Tuley, Matt Tuley, Dustin Miller, Jameson Miller, Carpenter Wyatt, Sallisa Wyatt and their various spouses and children. Jessie is also survived by three of her sisters: Ethel Pope, Leona Pope, Eleanor Starr, their spouses and many beloved nieces and nephews. On Monday, December 23 a private family committal service was held at Cedarlawn Memorial Park prior to the memorial service. The memorial service for Jessie Elizabeth Miller was held Monday morning, December 23, 2002 at the First Presbyterian Church in Denison. Reverend Martha Murchison of the church officiated.  Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
