Helen Miller

Helen Miller, 101, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Helen, better known as Honey, was born in Dell to Carrie Johnson and Charles Francis Armstrong. She attended Dell and Blytheville public schools and the University of Arkansas. She graduated from St. Louis School of Medical Technology and worked throughout WWII.

Honey married Captain Don K. Sanders in Dell in the summer of 1942. While serving in WWII, Don was killed in action in France, August 1944, and he was awarded the Silver Star. Honey gave birth to their daughter, Dona Kay Sanders, in November 1944. The novel Why Aren’t You Sweet Like Me? was inspired by their true love story. Honey and Dona returned to Dell, where she was on the building committee for the new Methodist Church, she also was president of Dell PTA and United Methodist Women. She was very active in the United Methodist Women of Blytheville and Dell. Honey served on Mississippi County Red Cross Board, City Beautiful, Tuberculosis Association Board, President of Women’s Club, and the Blytheville Rose Society while working as a medical technician at the Blytheville hospital. After managing Maple Grove Cemetery for 25 years, she turned stewardship over to a very dear friend, Roger Oldham.

She married John Miles Miller in 1956. John precedes her in death, along with her parents, Carrie Johnson and Charles Francis Armstrong;  stepfather  E.W. Noland; four sisters, Jesse Elizabeth, Marguerite Kerner, Betty Tidwell  and Charline Pannullo;  her brother  Charles “Buddy” Sparks Armstrong; grandson, W. Christopher Clark; and a special best friend, Nancy Trimue.  

She is survived by her daughter, Dona K. Sanders; grandchildren Jayson (January) Clark, Carrie (Dan) Spanagel, J. Leigh Nyman; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and many family members and loved ones.

Memorials may be made to Maple Grove Cemetery in care of Roger Oldham of Blytheville. Special thanks to her niece, Diane Jackson, and her caregivers.

Graveside services will be private. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home. Following the State of Arkansas COVID-19 guidelines, no more than 50 people will be allowed to gather inside of Cobb Funeral Home and practice social distancing, keeping a 6-foot distance between one another. Face masks are required to enter the building and to be worn at all times. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.