Roberta Jane Miley

On June 8, 1920, Roberta Jane Miley was born along with her twin sister Hazeltine June. The two adorable babies were named after their proud parents, Robert Minor Miley and Hazel Kirk Miley. The birth announcement in the paper had this to say “Birth of Twin Girls Adds to Population... Dallas’ population took a sudden jump Tuesday when twin girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Miley, 2607 Shelby Street. Reports from St. Paul’s sanitarium, where the stork called to leave the babies were to the effect that the mother and children were doing fine. The father, who is a well-known Dallas grocer will survive.”

After spending a normal and happy day, walking to and from dinner and even singing from time to time, Jane went to sleep and began to have a wonderful dream and soon found herself united with her precious family, twin sister June, and her parents Hazel and Bob. What a blessing it was when Jane died peacefully in her sleep on January 30, 2017 at 10:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Village North, where she had lived since 2009. Until June’s death, the twins had never been separated.

Growing up, the twins were very active at City Temple (Presbyterian) Church where they were on the cradle roll, being baptized there on May 15, 1921 by Dr. Leon Young. They enjoyed going to City Temple, singing in the youth choir and the many amenities at the church including a pool and bowling alley. City Temple was known for their dramatic stage productions; both twins assisted with the shows, painting backdrops and creating props for performances. They also assisted in writing City Temple’s 100th anniversary program. They remembered fondly the church services on the roof when the weather was nice and cool.

In 1927, their parents designed and built a new home in the suburbs of Dallas, in an area that would later become University Park. They lived in that same house until their move to Presbyterian Village North. Growing up, their interests revolved around the arts…taking ballet lessons up through their high school years, cultivating their artistic skills and their interest in couture fashion. Their mother was an expert seamstress who made costumes for the Dallas Theater and she also made all their clothes. The twins were always the best dressed in identical and perfectly tailored clothes. Throughout their entire lives, that pattern continued. They wore identical clothing in different or same colors, fixed their hair the same, wore the same makeup, ate and drank from identical dishes and did all activities together. Growing up they enjoyed family vacations that took them across the United States. As young adults, the two girls continued their exploration of America; they visited all 48 states except the Dakotas, enjoying the ride even more in their favorite car, their Ford Thunderbird. Along the way, they brought back interesting rocks from every state which they used to create rolling flower beds and a fish pond. One large obsidian rock, considered sacred, was given to them by an Indian Chief who couldn’t help but be enchanted by the twins during one of their trips west.

Both of the lively girls chose Texas Women’s University in Denton to develop in dramatics, dancing and writing which have been important to them all their lives. There, they had an opportunity to leave their legacy. In 1939 the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods was built and dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt and was named one of Texas’ most outstanding architectural achievements. University students designed and created the building’s artwork, including stained glass windows, lighting, woodwork and flooring. The windows were designed by the twins and depict scenes of women ministering to human needs including nursing, teaching, speech, literature, dance and music. They graduated from Texas Women’s University in Denton in 1942 with a degree in Art/Advertising Design. They continued their associations with TWU throughout their lives as they were able.

Following graduation Jane was a graphics artist for Lone Star Gas (which later merged with Dallas Power & Light and then became TXU Energy). Meanwhile June was in the Lighting Services Division of Texas Electric. Because their work locations were nearby in downtown Dallas, they were able to share one car. The twins relished in a friendly rivalry between the two companies. Ironically, their companies eventually merged so they eventually, in keeping with all things being identical, they even retired from the same company.

Their degrees in the arts combined with their upbringing in faith led to their life-long passion of volunteer service. When the time came for City Temple to be torn down, the congregation moved to NorthPark Presbyterian Church located “way out” in the suburbs of Dallas at Park Lane and Central Expressway. The move did not keep the twins from church. Being closer to the physical location of the church, their involvement and volunteering increased. They sang in the choir until the age of 86. They were also Deacons, participated in programs for Presbyterian Village (in south Dallas) and Presbyterian Children’s Home (aka Waxahachie Children’s Home). After their retirement they assisted with Bible schools helping children with art or serving goodies, made pillows with the Cancer Dressing Group, regularly attended Bible Studies, were active in Presbyterian Women’s group, were members of the Sun Bonnet Lou Garden Club (a group of mostly NorthPark women), and worked in the church office answering phones and folding bulletins. In addition to their time given, they faithfully pledged their treasures, particularly supporting children and youth programs. When asked what their biggest contribution was to NorthPark, Jane said they were “gracious givers.”

Their generous volunteer service was not limited to church. In 1955 the Dallas newspaper did an article about Children’s Hospital of Texas where it said “Children’s Hospital aims at being furnished for a patient’s every need. Now it has an ultimate in medical décor--the Miley twins’ wall-to-wall therapy. Jane and June Miley, draftsmen by profession and volunteer artists by avocation, have livened up two walls of a first-floor ward. One depicts Howdy Doody at the controls of a train, the other Alice exploring Wonderland. In various stages of more or less advanced planning are murals for additional rooms: Little Black Sambo, the Wizard of Oz, Jack of the Beanstalk fame, circus and cowboy scenes.” Jane was quoted in the article as saying “We thought that if we could get something to brighten up the wards, it might help the children.”

When Presbyterian Hospital opened in May, 1966, Jane and June Miley were there to greet. They were the first volunteers. In an article in the Dallas News, it said “The identical twins began working at Presbyterian Hospital even before the hospital opened, sending out invitations for Presbyterian’s Open House. Currently, they bounce between the engineering departments, gift shop and information desk.” For their service, they were given awards and received special recognition for having worked the most hours…each working 809.5 hours beginning on May 1, 1966 when the hospital opened. In 1967, the volunteer hours were capped at 1000 which they exceeded.

After their retirement, their volunteer work escalated with both volunteering at the Zoo Gift Shop and Arboretum. They continued to volunteer at the Zoo through their mid-70s and at the Arboretum into their early-80s. At both the Zoo and the Arboretum they received many awards and recognitions for their volunteer work.

Jane and June Miley were like two halves of one whole. They did all activities together, dressed alike, ate the same foods, and were never separated. To know them is to be inspired by them. They have been generous and gracious givers, acting out their faith through the gifts of their time, treasure, prayer and love.

These twins were angels on earth so Heaven must have sung a chorus of joy when Jane was once again was united with her dear sister, June, at the pearly gates. Jane is much loved and will be missed. Well done good and faithful servant Jane!

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at mine end, and at my departing...

A 10:00 a.m. memorial service for Jane Miley will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017

at NorthPark Presbyterian Church located at 9555 Central Expressway

(Located just south of Walnut Hill Lane on the south-bound service road)

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift to the NorthPark Youth, Deacon or Choir funds.