A. Jorae Miller

Jorae Miller was born, Alma Jorae Preston, in St. Louis, MO on September 24, 1931. She moved to Kansas City, MO with her parents and infant sister when she was 5 years old. She attended both Paseo and Southeast High School, graduating from Southeast in 1948. During high school, she played violin in the high school orchestra and volunteered at Camp Fire Girls Summer Camp as a counselor and water safety instructor. She met her husband, John J. Miller, while attending Kansas City Junior College, and she finished her education degree at MU in 1952 – a MIZZOU Tiger for life!

She married John Miller and began her teaching career while he completed dental school. Early childhood education was clearly a vocation for her. She worked as a third-grade teacher until she began having children. She later returned to teaching Montessori preschool, as well as training new teachers in the Montessori method. She believed, “You can learn something new every day.”

Jorae was baptized in 1939 at South Prospect Methodist Church and confirmed her faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church after she was married. As a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, she actively served her faith as Sunday school superintendent and VBS coordinator for many years. She was innovative in creating VBS Outdoor Day Camp and a summer multigenerational Sunday school. Additionally, she monitored the prayer garden and sang in the choir every Sunday. She formed many special friendships during those 50 years. Her current church home is Holy Cross Lutheran, where she has been a member for over 20 years.

Jorae served as President of the KC Junior Chamber wives in 1961 and supported her husband in his leadership roles with the Missouri Dental Society and the Navy Reserve. Joining the Johnson County Chorus was a joy later in life. As a member, she had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall and at churches throughout Europe.

She loved keeping in touch with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family will remember fondly how she would start each day reading the newspaper, working on the daily crossword puzzle and Jumble, and sipping her cup of coffee. She was a supporter of the Chiefs and Royals and was excited that they both won their second championships in her lifetime.

Jorae was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Miller, her daughter, Cindy Jean, her parents, Aubrey and Nina Preston, her sister and brother-in-law, Nanette and George Hutton, brother-in-law, C. Richard Miller and her son-in-law, Steven Kintigh.

She is survived by her daughter, Monica Kintigh; her daughter Nina (Mark) Kiekhaefer, her son, Chuck (Leasa) Miller, her grandchildren, Kate, Kristen, Marie, Sam, Paul, Joe, her 8 great- grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

We are so thankful for the loving care from Allyson, Amanda, and all her caregivers from Phoenix Home Health Care and KC Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, send gifts to Holy Cross Lutheran Church 7851 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213; Transformational Housing, PO Box 104784, Jefferson City, MO 65110; Rinehart Foundation, memo line: John J. Miller Scholarship (UMKC Dental School) 650 East 25th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108.