James Aubrey Miller

Monday, December 22, 2014
James Aubrey Miller

Jonesboro

James Aubrey Miller of Jonesboro was called to heaven Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014.

He was born on Oct. 26, 1927, in the home of his grandparents, Elbert E. "Eb" Barnes and Mary Frances Barnes in Leachville. He graduated from Childress High School in 1945. He met Emma Lee Merritt who was playing piano at the Delfore Methodist Church, married her on July 18, 1948, and was with her until she passed away in 1987.

He began his successful career as a snack food salesman, starting with Stewart Potato Chips. He worked many years for Wonder Potato Chips and Golden Flake. Upon retirement from Golden Flake in 1992 he had built up his route among the communities of Northeast Arkansas, making hundreds of friends along the way.

He became reacquainted with childhood school friend, Christene Dement, and they were happily married Nov. 20, 1988, and moved to Jonesboro. He lived his dream of flying, making many fly-in trips around the country. His love for fishing took him and Buddy Esker on many adventures to the St. Frances River and Lake Poinsett. He enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with lifelong friends Jerry and Sue McAfee. He loved his family, his grandchildren, people, flying, fishing, playing cards and dominoes, the Razorbacks, the Cardinals and telling jokes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie Reeves "Boss" Miller and Edna Mary Miller; three brothers, Raymond Miller, Bob Miller and Jack Miller; two wives, Emma Lee Merritt Miller and Christene Dement Miller.

He is survived by his sons, Rod Miller of Little Rock, Stan Miller and wife Beth of Jonesboro and Larry Dement and wife Evelyn of Jonesboro; a daughter, Fran Moore and husband Richard of Cabot; sister, Mary Frances Wallace of Monette; five grandchildren, Leigh Ann Williams, Andrew Miller, Emily Miller, Bobette Leggett and Kristy Lamb; seven great-grandchildren, Hannah Grace Williams, Carleigh Jon Williams, Cade Williams, Elizabeth Leggett, Lauren Leggett, Andrea Lamb Shelby and Stephen Lamb, and a great-great-grandson, Eli Shelby.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Monette First Baptist Church.

The celebration of his life will be 10 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, at Monette First Baptist Church with Dustin Finch officiating. Burial will follow at Monette Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Monette.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Jerry MacAfee, Andrew Miller, Gordon Miller, Greg Miller, Mike Wallace and Jon Williams.

Lasting memorials may be made to the Monette First Baptist Church.

Online: www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com