Esther Naomi Milner

Esther Naomi (Mills) Miner, age 87, ascended into Heaven on Nov10, 2015. After struggling valiantly for a year- and-a-half from two near death illnesses, God, in his wisdom, finally called her home. Waiting to greet her, in a grand family reunion, were her parents, John Herman & Olga Mills, her playful brother, Albert, and her three excited sisters, Eva (Honey) Mills, Ramona (Mona) Mathis, and Kathy (Peaches) Homan, all exclaiming, “It’s About Time.”Left to miss her, but to share memories, are her children, daughter, Eva Dawn (Mills) Arnold and son, Michael Tyrone (Ty) Milner; her grandchildren, Abrea (Massey) Arnold, Atira Arnold, Andon and Charlotte Arnold; two-&-a-half great grandchildren, Dylan and Breanna Massey, and one soon to arrive little girl for Andon and Charlotte; plus, of course, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.Esther was born in Dallas, Texas, on June 30, 1928, making a grand entrance at her mother’s home during her own “Baby Shower.” During the exciting but turbulent 1930’s & 40’s, she grew up, experiencing, first hand, the 1936 Texas Centennial State Fair (of which, she still had the tickets) and W W II, where she fondly remembered selling War Bond and sending care packages to the troops.During her adult life, Esther had a wanderlust to travel. Honing her skills as a speed “oil colorist” for color tinting photos, she moved to Sheppard’s Air Force Base and later to Paramount Studios in California. Migrating to Colorado Springs for Carson Air Force Base, she stayed for 13 years before returning to Dallas in 1965. Her greatest adventure was her trip to London she won through a contest. She experienced several other vocations, from singing with “Big Bands,” dancing in a chorus line, veritypist, layout artist for Glaziers, and Assistant Apartment Manager. At the age of 62, she proclaimed she was “tired” and retired. In her life she, also, had two failed marriages; but she had no regrets because she often proclaimed she received the greatest joys of her life, her daughter and son.

Esther was seen as the last Matriarch of her family. She was very outspoken, and often ruffled feathers; but she was true to her convictions, and was the solid rock of which her sisters and family relied upon. On her lighter side, she will be remembered for her love of butterflies, yellow roses, “Good” music, art (often claiming to a better critic, with an eye for detail rather than an artist herself,) playing board games for hours with her grandkids (Tripoley being her favorite), enjoying family gatherings, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups! The family will miss her special homemade chocolate chip cookies and fabulous chocolate cakes with fudge icing.Esther never wanted to claim any accomplishments. She said they were only important to her. However, she had a passion for helping others. It led her into volunteer work for Salvation Army, and financial support for her church, family, as well as, the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews.

For those of us left behind, Esther will be truly missed. But we are grateful she is at peace, with no more pain, and no more hated oxygen tubes. She now stands healed, in the presence of God and her family. We can just imagine the “Mills Sisters” singing together once again!

Visitation services will be held on Friday night, Nov. 13th, between 6 p.m.-8p.m., at Sparkman Crane Funeral Home, 10501 Garland Rd., Dallas, Texas, 75218. Family and Friends are welcome to come and reminisce, share refreshments, and give support. Funeral services will be held at the graveside, at Hughes Crown Hill Memorial Park, at 11 a.m. on Saturday the 14th. In lieu of flowers, Esther strongly believed in helping the living and would rather have you make a donation to International Fellowship to Christians and Jews, 30 North LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-486-8844. If you wish, you can join us in wearing something with a butterfly in honor of Esther.