Ida Mae Miller

Ida Mae Miller, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died at the age of 98 on September 12, 2021. She was born in Denham Springs, La., in 1923, to Edna Smiley and W.S. Ellis and raised by her maternal grandparents, John and Mae Smiley, following the death of her mother. She graduated from Denham Springs High School in 1940, attended Southeastern University and Spencer Business College, graduating with a General Business degree. In 1945, she married her childhood sweetheart, Guy Milton Miller, also from Denham Springs, a World War II veteran and employee of the J.C. Penney Company. While raising three children and supporting her husband's rise into management with Penney's, she lived in Montgomery, Ala., Greenwood, S.C., Portsmouth, Va., and Shreveport, La., before settling in Little Rock, Ark., for the opening of the University Mall Penney's store in 1965. Mrs. Miller was a woman of deep Christian faith, volunteering in the nursery or teaching Sunday School at each Baptist church her family attended. Mrs. Miller's home was a sanctuary of love, and a favorite gathering place for her children's friends. She was known for her easy smile, her wonderful listening skills, and the mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Mamaw" will primarily be remembered for her devotion to her family, her love of all children, and her church work. At the end of her life, she attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock. In addition to her husband Guy, Ida Mae Miller was preceded in death by her beloved Aunt Cecil Smiley McNabb (Lee McNabb), her sister, Joyce Cain (Lt. Col. Ray E. Cain), her brother, Jesse Ellis and her two sons, Guy Milton Miller, Jr. and Ronald Miller. She is survived by her daughters Sheila Peters (David Peters) and Debra Boddington (COL David Boddington); her daughter-in-law, Tammy Miller; and by her grandchildren, Guy Milton "Trip" Miller, III (Kelly Miller), Josh Miller, Ben Barham, and Amos Cochran. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Delaney and Ayden Miller, Rowan and Charlie Miller, John and Natalie Barham, and Maddie, Jude and Lucy Cochran. She was loved and will be missed by countless family and friends, including her sister's children, Bob Cain (Linda Beth Cain) and Cindi Cain Scott (Steve Scott). A memorial service is planned for a later date at Denham Springs Memorial Cemetery where her ashes will be interred next to her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Hospice organization or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com