Mrs. Johnnie Elizabeth Miller

“Miss Johnnie”, as she was affectionately known, was born in Sturgis, Mississippi. After working and living in Memphis, Tennessee, for over 40 years, she retired and moved back to her beloved hometown of Sturgis and lived there from 1992 until her passing in her home on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Her devoted mother, Ms. Minnie Brooks, and her father, Mr. John Hickman, preceded her in death. She started her education at Mt. Airy Baptist Church School. After grade school, she attended M. I. Theological College in West Point, Mississippi. She married Henry Edison Miller, of Ackerman, Mississippi, and their union produced two sons, Mr. Willie Everett (Wonda) Miller, of Memphis, Tennessee; and Mr. Aaron Burnett (Brenda) Miller, of Jacksonville, Florida. For 40 years, she was employed by – and maintained a close relationship with -- Mr. Alex and Mrs. Mimi Dann of Memphis, Tennessee, retiring in 1992. While working for The Dann’s, she lovingly assisted in rearing their four children – Alec, Elyse, Thomas, and Katie Dann – who she affectionately referred to as her “chosen children”. Johnnie professed belief in Jesus Christ at an early age. She was baptized and joined the family home church, Mt. Airy Baptist Church, where she was lifelong member. While in Memphis, she was also a member of Christ Christian Fellowship Church. Miss Johnnie had an active community service life after she retired to Sturgis. She spearheaded the spaying and neutering of family pets for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. Until her health failed, she was a very active member of the Oktibbeha Historical Society at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. She was initially credited with the “ARE YOU OK?” Program for the residents of Sturgis. She was also an active participant in the Oktibbeha County Senior Citizen’s Program, and she also visited the residents of many nursing homes in the surrounding areas. She was well-loved by all who knew her, she touched many lives. She leaves to mourn her passing, along with her two loving sons and their wives, her grandchildren: Ronald, Richard, Cynthia, Shawn, Shannon (of Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Wonda Miller), also, Eric, Cedric, Kendrick, Ashton, and Johnathan (of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Brenda Miller); and her chosen-grandchildren: Jeremy and Julia (of Mr. and Mrs. Alec and Penne Dann), also, Isabel, Barry, Olivia, and Hayden (of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Melissa Dann). She also leaves 28 great-grandchildren, as well as, two great-great grandchildren, her close friends The Morgans, The Bixlers, The Gladneys, The Malones, Mr. Avence Pittman, and many others who assisted her during her final years in Sturgis – we count ourselves so blessed that each of you entered her life – and a great host of relatives and friends.

Mrs. Johnnie Elizabeth Miller

July 16, 1930 - June 10, 2017