Jimmy E. Miller

Jimmy E. Miller, 81, of Beebe, Ark., formerly of Benton, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2021. He was born April 23, 1939, in Dardanelle, Ark. His Christian home was a farm, with his parents, his brothers and sisters. The family was really close. They attended church every time the doors were open. They worked together on the farm and garden. Some of the fun things they did in the summer would be going to the peach orchard, where they picked and ate peaches. They would come home and sit under the big mimosa tree in their yard. Everyone would be working together preparing the peaches for canning or freezing. One summer the family traveled to California to visit family there. After graduating from Dardanelle High School, Jim left to attend Arkansas Tech. After one semester he was ready to try Harding College. Harding was a much better fit for him. He was on the football team at either school. After two years at Harding, a new girl came at mid-term. "Is that the girl my sister told me I would want to meet?" Jim thought, as he rushed out the door of the AD building to try to catch her. "Hey, you!" Jim said. She stopped at the door of the library, where she was going to study. Within a few minutes, Jim asked Phyllis to their first date at the Church of Christ in Searcy. After graduation from Harding College, he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Fort Worth Christian School and College. The following Christmas, Jim married the love of his life, Phyllis Gilstrap, in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1962. Jim taught and coached at Fort Worth Christian School for five years. In 1965, Jim and Phyllis welcomed their first daughter, Tamara, into the world. The following year, they welcomed their second daughter, Debra. In 1967, the family moved to Memphis, Tenn., where he taught and coached at the Harding's High School. He then decided to try his hand at photography. For the next couple of years, Jim worked for Pix Photography Studio. While in Memphis, Jim's family attended Church of Christ. A friend of Jim's at church told him about an opening at Benton Junior High to teach and coach. Jim accepted the offer, and moved to Benton. He coached and taught there for 3 years. He led the football team to a 10-0 victory while coaching! Jim went on to teach social studies at Benton High School for 40+ years. Jim loved his career and his students. Some students still called him years after retirement to check on him. During Jim's life in Benton, he was a very active member of Northside Church of Christ, where he served as an elder for 27 years. Jim was a devout Christian man who loved God. Following retirement from Benton High School, Jim and Phyllis moved to Beebe, Ark., where they built their home to be closer to their grandkids. Jim loved to be outside where he could see the beautiful view of the pond from his deck and see the flowers and trees he had planted. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Ollie Miller; brother, Alwin Miller; and sisters, Kathryn Ray (Walter) and Marilyn Gray (Andy Junior). Mr. Miller leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Phyllis Miller of 59 years; daughters, Tamara Porter (Ken) of Emery, Texas, and Debra Smith (Tim) of Beebe, Ark.; sister, Jean Best (Johnny); brother, John Miller (Anne); grandchildren, Elizabeth Porter, Jesse Porter, and Alex Porter of Texas, Garrett Smith and Shelby Smith of Beebe. The family will always remember the wonderful care Jim received from his helpers, Nicole McDonald, Icy Lumpkin, Marsha Banks, and Becki Hartline. The family would also like to thank the Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home for doing such a wonderful job with the planning and services. Jim was laid to rest at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Beebe, Arkansas on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Please visit www.smithfamilycares for guest register and video tribute.