Mary E. Miller

Mary E. Miller, age 104, of Lamar, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014 at Truman Healthcare Center where she had been a resident for the past five months.      Mary was born November 12, 1909, at Sugar Grove, Arkansas, the fourth of eleven children of Henry and Mattie (Merriman) Hooper.  On January 9, 1932, at Fairfax, Oklahoma, she married the love of her life, Roy Miller and they had celebrated 59 years together before his death April 7, 1991.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and eight sisters.      Roy and Mary worked many different jobs across the country to raise money to buy farmland, settling and raising their four children in Barton County west of Milford, moving to Lamar in 1962.  In addition to farming, Mary had worked at Aaron’s Poultry, Fowler’s Café, owned and operated Irwin General Store, and Roy & Mary’s Café in Milford, worked at O’Sullivan Industries and Lamar Daycare Center.  “Granny” to family and friends alike, Mary was a natural care-giver, known for her Christian values, work ethic, the abundance of huge gardens she shared, and the home-cooked meals enjoyed by many around her table.  She enjoyed fishing, the fellowship of her Milford Christian Church family, and any activity that could be shared with her many grandchildren.  She was an avid card player.      Survivors include four children, Dorothy (Dwight) Parks, Gerry (Brenda) Miller, Don (Jane) Miller all of Lamar, and Vicki Miller of Sarcoxie; a sister-in-law, Zelma (Mrs. H.C.) Hooper, Milford; ten grandchildren, Pam (Joe) Judd, Peg (Bill) Jeffries, Chip (Jerri) Miller, Brian (Cassie) Miller, Dave (Angie) Parks, Deana (Bill) Baker, Darin Parks, Denny (Russ) Massa, Mark Miller, and Matt (Lori) Miller; 32 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great grandchildren.       Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, Maple Senior Living, or Truman Healthcare, in care of the funeral home.