Annabelle Lee “Pozza” Miller, 91, was welcomed into Heaven on December 11, 2019 in Fort Smith. She was born December 1, 1928, in Tonitown, AR to Hugo D. Pozza and Lucy (Ardemagni) Pozza, whose parents were one of the first Italian settlers from Recoaro Terme. She graduated from Saint Joseph school in Tontitown and was a 1946 graduate of Springdale High School.
She was accepted into the Saint Edward School of Nursing in Fort Smith, AR and after graduation, Annabelle began working at the V.A. Hospital in Fayetteville, AR. She then moved to Ft. Smith, AR where she began working with Drs. Hawkins and Foster at Cooper Clinic as their surgical nurse before embarking on her biggest adventure- moving to California, where she was employed by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, excelled, and was chosen to do special duty as a private nurse to Sammy Davis Jr.
Annabelle married Myrle "Ted" Miller, started her family and was an oncology nurse at Little Company of Mary Hospital, eventually becoming a charge nurse. Wanting to return home to be closer to her family, she accepted a position at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center where she eventually became Nursing Supervisor for 20 years before retiring. Her accomplished nursing career spanned over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her two brothers, John Hugo and Felix Pozza.
She is survived by three daughters, Stacie Falls and husband Mike of Rogers, AR, Kelli Miller of Fort Smith, AR, and Courtney Koch and husband Tim of Fayetteville, AR; one son, Sean Miller and his wife Jacqueline of Los Angeles, CA; first cousin, Tommy Caldarera and his wife Dorothy; and nine grandchildren, Emily Johnson and her husband Aaron, Jordan Falls, Mackenzie Miller, Grant Koch, Anna Koch, James Robert Miller, Charles Miller, and twins, John and Peter Miller; also, her three nieces, Cindy Whitaker, Sheryl Pozza and Tracy Reed.
Her foundation was her Catholic faith, her love of the Mass and the Holy Sacraments all in which she instilled in her children. The loves of her life included her family, her children and her never-ending compassion for healing and consoling- not only of the sick, but also the families in their most difficult times. She loved music, to dance, sing in the Tontitown choir with her Mother Lucia, who was the organist, and she loved fashion and "dressing to the nines". She longed for beautiful clouds in the sky and sunny days. She is a true a reflection of one of her favorite artists- Nat King Cole and his song "Unforgettable".
Rosary will be 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM Wednesday December 18, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tonitown under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Tonitown.
Memorials may be sent to Tonitown Historical Museum, St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Heart of Hospice, Ft. Smith, AR.
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
