Leola Blanche Miller

She met John William Miller during the spring of 1941. They were married just before John headed for active duty as a Navy pilot – five days after Pearl Harbor. Before World War II was over they had three children, Gloria, Sherian and Philliph. Their love story during the War and following could easily be cast into a Hollywood Movie, but both John and Blanche exclaimed, “It was just our life.”

They lived in Coffeeville, KS; Marshal, MO; Topeka, KS; St. Louis, MO, and both Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. as John pursued his career in aviation. Following the graduation of their children from High School they moved to Liberal, KS for a few years then back to Kansas City, MO. Following John’s retirement in 1991, they fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to Pensacola, FL. where John had been trained as a Navy Pilot during WW II and where their daughter Sherian was born.

Blanche throughout her life remained a very spiritual person. During her childhood, her Mother and Father resurrected Maywood Community Church west of Kansas City, KS and sang in a Gospel Quartet on the radio. Blanche retained that love of a church community. Singing in the church choir was important wherever she lived. She felt singing was indeed, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. She enjoyed singing the old gospel songs all her life. She joined the Unity Church in Kansas City, MO and after the move to Florida she became a leader in the Unity Church of Pensacola helping to purchase and restore the Unity Church on 9th Avenue. Her nickname in that church was “Hundred Watt.” Blanche was an incurable optimist and chose to look at the positive side of all situations.

Blanche was a gifted ballroom dancer. She and John danced on Friday and Saturday nights every weekend in Pensacola. They had many close friends who shared their love of dancing.

Although unable to finish High School she had a lifelong interest in learning. After moving to Pensacola, she took advantage of the opportunity to audit college classes at Pensacola Jr. College and the University of Western Florida. She happily took many classes there over many years, and rather enjoyed being a college girl.

John died in 2006 and in 2009 Blanche moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho to be near her two daughters. She was preceded in death by her husband John, Father James Ernest, Mother Margaret Edythe and son John Phillph. She is survived by her two daughters Gloria Allen (Tony), Sherian Lewis (Leroy), 7 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Services will be in Pensacola, Florida under the auspices of Bayview Fisher Pou Chapel and Memorial Park and Unity Church of Pensacola. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Unity of Pensacola, 716 N 9th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32501.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 01, 2017 at Bayview Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, April 02, 2017 at Unity Church of Pensacola.

Arrangements under the direction of Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, Pensacola, FL.