Jonell Miller

Mrs. Jonell Graves Miller was invited home to Glory to join her heavenly father on June 22, 2016, after a lengthy illness. She was at home surrounded by her family. Jonell was 86 years young.

Jody or Jody Blonde as known to her many friends was born in Idalou, Texas at home. Her beloved parents were Herman Early and Edna Earl Graves. She was born in her parent’s home early one morning on August 14, 1930. She was the first child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Graves.

Jonell was a cotton-headed little girl who loved walking every Sunday to First Baptist Church in Idalou with her dad who was a deacon. There she sat on the front row and her mother and two boys joined them right before the service began. It was an honor to walk with her daddy, and he was so very proud of her.

Jody also loved playing basketball in school and had a great talent for it. She was offered a scholarship to Wayland Baptist to play for their team.

However, Jonell turned down the scholarship to marry the love of her life, Bobie Dee Miller. They have been married 68 years and have continued to be inseparable. Often times, you would notice they could finish each other sentences, holding hands, as well as an understanding of being husband and wife, best friends, and caregiver to one another. They grew up together and have had many memorable years that endeared them even more to each other. Bobie has always treated Jonell like a princess.

If you knew Jonell, her life was always built around her family. She and Bob had their firstborn, Bobie Wayne in 1951 and they were thrilled to have a talented son. Then, in 1954, their only daughter, Barbara came as a big surprise one night after earlier in the day Bob and Jonell had purchased 305 baby chickens to raise. However, nothing ever mattered as much as God and family to her. Her life was filled with so much happiness and an abundance of blessings.

Jonell and Bobie loved going to church as a family and were youth leaders for many years. Their Christian witness has made such a tremendous impact on their children and many others through the years. Jonell’s love for children also lead her to be a teacher at Sundown Elementary where she enjoyed working with students that needed her special loving touch. She was kind, caring, and had a heart for the children who needed her motherly way.

Jonell continued to love basketball and to watch sports on tv or in person. This Spring, she had the opportunity to attend a Rockets game and watch them lose. The last several weeks when you could find her watching bits of the NBA playoff games and her favorite team did not win the championship. It was a real bummer to her!

Her family tells that her favorite summertime activity was to go the lake with several other families and rent cabins. Each morning everyone got up, and mom would ensure everyone had their turn to water ski before she took hers. She loved to waterski, but she did not learn to swim until later in life, somewhat uncanny to ski but not to swim. However, when Jonell did ski, she was in a lifejacket bundled up like Fort Knox.

Her greatest joy was anticipating what God had in his plan for her children. She and Bob faithfully prayed for them to know the Lord as their Savior and lived to know what God unfolded for them. Bobie was called to the ministry-with students, music, and now an associate pastor and has been serving for 40 years with his dedicated wife, Kathy. Barbara started as a school teacher, principal, and currently an educational consultant and married Tom Leland, mom’s favorite son-in-law, and her only one.

Most importantly God blessed Mimi and Pop with their one grandchild, Austin Miller Leland. He was and has always been the “apple of her eye.” Their bond began early on when they would keep him when he was a sick child. She played with him for endless hours as they marched around the living room with Mickey Mouse parade cassette tape while he was the head of the parade. He learned to cook, play, and pray with her and their love for each other grew to be stronger every day. A favorite memory for all of us was at the nightly dinner table. Everyone had their plate filled and all were joining hands to pray. Austin was 4 yrs old and said the prayer but added the phrase, “and God please don’t make me eat this broccoli on my plate.” Jonell quickly and quietly removed it from the toddler’s plate. When all eyes were opened everyone laughed but Jonell never said a word as she handed the vegetable to the dog under the table. Austin became a true believer of the power of prayer!

Other members of her loving family are her younger brothers: Herman Bruce, who married his high school sweetheart, Ollie Mae. His first memory of her is when she would put him in her basket on her bicycle and ride him around the neighborhood like a 1st place prize. Her baby brother, Kenneth Mack was a sweet shocking surprise because he arrived 14 years after mother but was a blessing. Ken along with his loving wife Sherry had completed the Graves family. Donnie Bennett, a cousin has always had a special place in her heart.

Jonell Graves Miller was survived by her husband, Bobie Dee Miller, brothers: Herman Bruce Graves, Kenneth Mack Graves, son, Bobie Wayne Miller, daughter, Barbara Miller Leland, and grandson, Austin Miller Leland.

Her friendships were endless but to just name a few were: The Whataburger bunch, Lois Williamson, Kay and Bill West, precious neighbors, Champion Forest Baptist Life group, Spring Baptist friends. A very special thanks to the Godly Hospice nurses, Leona Taylor the angel caregiver, Wilbur and Betis Rodas, Kenneth and Lidia Henderson, who are extended members of her family.

Jonell Graves Miller has a temporary resting place in Forest Park in The Woodlands Cemetery, but her final resting place is with her Lord Jesus Christ, her parents, and friends in Glory awaiting for those she loved to join her.

God invites each of us. We love you precious wife, sister, sister-in-law, mother, and grandmother.

Donations in her name can be made to Kindred Hospice in Conroe at Kindred Foundation, 680 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202 or call 502.596.7300

Visitation will be Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Magnolia Room of Forest Park The Woodlands, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas, 77384.

A Celebration of Life will be at 2:30 pm on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner Airline Rd., Houston, Texas, 77069.