Jesse Parnell Miller

Jesse Parnell ?Sonny King? Miller was born November 20, 1940 in Birmingham, Alabama and was immediately nicknamed ?Sonny?. He was the oldest of nine children. Jesse?s mother Eugenia ?Gee? Miller-King and his stepfather Rev. Floyd King preceded him in death as well as his brother Melvin Leroy King, sisters Anita LaVerne King and Doris Elaine King and the grandparents who helped raise him Dave Miller and Betty Tyler-Miller.

Jesse confessed to Christ at an early age at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham. After completing his education he joined the U. S. Army where he served for 30 years and achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He served one tour of duty in Germany, three tours of duty in Vietnam and received numerous awards. Although his family and children were still in Alabama Seattle, Washington was the home Jesse chose after retiring from the army. He met the love of his life Ola Dean and decided that this was the person he wanted to grow old with and they married in 1985. For many years he worked as a Supervisor of Prison Guards at Monroe State Reformatory Prison in Monroe, Washington.

Jesse became a member of Prince Hall Masons in the Maryland Jurisdiction in 1977. He will always be remembered for his dedicated, faithful and loyal service to masonry. After relocating to Seattle he joined Lee Grant Rogers Lodge #61 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Washington and Jurisdiction. He was also a member of Yemen Temple #152 A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Cascadian Consistory #75 and Jephthah Chapter #8, Order of Eastern Star. Jesse held the highest office in all of the organizations and received his 33E in 1994 achieving the title of Grand Inspector General. He remained active until his passing on October 21, 2002.

Jesse leaves to celebrate his memory his beloved wife Ola D.; five children Michael Miller, Sr., L?Tanya Miller-Blackman, Jesse P. Miller, Jr., DeMarcus Miller of Birmingham, Alabama and Randy Miller of Brandon, Florida; stepson Anthoney Moore of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; five sisters Akeweke King-Singho of Brooklyn, New York, Bettye King-Louie of Birmingham, Alabama, C. Tasmiya King-Miller of San Francisco, California, E. Monifa King-Willekes of Atlanta, Georgia, E. Dashanaba King of Atlanta, Georgia; stepbrother Floyd King, Jr. of Mobile, Alabama and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

Masonic services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2002 at 12:00 pm in the chapel at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home and internment will be in the Memorial Cemetary. Graveside services will be conducted by The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F & AM Washington and Jurisdiction. Following the graveside service there will be a repass at the Seattle Masonic Temple. Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home is located at 11111 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98133 and the Seattle Masonic Temple is located at 306 - 24th Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98144.