of Little Rock, AR
March 7, 1932 - June 10, 2024
Laura Frances Miller, 92, of Little Rock, passed away in her home Monday, June 10, 2024. Laura was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was born in Memphis, TN as the only child of Douglas and Maxine Cohen on March 7, 1932. She graduated from Little Rock Senior High School, where she won silver band award as first-chair clarinet, played Hammond organ, and met the love of her life, Bert O. Miller. Laura and Bert were married November 25, 1950, and celebrated 73 anniversaries.
Laura attended nurse's training at the Methodist Medical Center in Memphis, TN, later earning her certificate as an X-Ray Technician at University of Arkansas Medical School. Laura worked at Arkansas Children's Home & Hospital as an X-Ray technician under Superintendent Ruth Beall. As a member of First Baptist Church in Little Rock, she learned American Sign Language to teach a class of children with impaired hearing, and signed for all hymns sung in morning and evening services. Laura served as Worthy Matron of Adah Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and as Grand Esther at Grand Chapter. At age 50, Laura began to study oil painting, and she had an exhibit of 119 of her paintings in 2015 at Guachoya Cultural Art Museum in Lake Village, AR.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents. She will be held in memory by her loving husband, her sister (Sarah Cumnock, husband Mike of Hot Springs and their daughter Mara), and her daughters and their families: Sarita Sullivan and Tim Sullivan of Little Rock; Renee Easterwood and husband Terry, of Bryan, TX; Tanya Miller-Bradham and husband Mark, of Little Rock; and LaBerta Russell and husband Randy, of Lake Village, AR. She was loved dearly by all of her family (including seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren), and extended family and friends. Grandchildren: Laura Stanley (husband Jon), Cody Beight (wife Katie), Jeff Easterwood (wife Ashley), Kelsey Beight, Chris Beasley (wife Mariah), Carrie Sullivan, and Cole Sullivan. Great-Grandchildren: Leah Bragg, Ethan Stanley, Connor Bragg, Cera Easterwood, Jack Stanley, Lily Easterwood, Gabriella Beight, Brendon Beasley, Sawyer Beight, Savannah Beight, Evan Stanley, Melody Fricks, and Motley Joyner.
The family wishes to express their thanks to loving caregivers Paula Thompson, Blanchie Grayson and Ivory Smith, and Hospice Homecare professionals who assisted with devoted and gracious care at the residence.
Donations in the memory of Laura F. Miller may be sent to Alzheimer's Association or Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 15012248300.
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17 Condolence(s)
Tanya Miller
Saturday, February 8, 2025
I wish I had been given the opportunity to read this at Mama's funeral service. I wrote it for Mama's 90th birthday.
I REMEMBER WHEN.....
I was about 2 years old when Mama took me to an individual's house to learn to swim. There were a number of other kids learning-they had a pool in their backyard. It was very exciting and I learned very quickly! After that I was a fish out of water. She also took me to the YMCA for swimming lessons and crafts during many summers. Because of that I became a strong swimmer.
I was about 8 years old when Mama took me to the Farmer's Market for the first time. It was held in a parking lot downtown. I was barefooted and the pavement was hot! One of the things we bought were crawdads in water!! When the time came to boil them I was mortified they would be boiled alive!!! I was having a very hard time until one of them pinched the daylights out of me! No more crawdads for me! Mama thought it was hilarious!!
As a youngster of many ages I had a lot of bunkin' parties. At 4 or 5 a.m. Mama would take us to get hot Shipley's donuts! Sometimes we got to see them being made. So Delicious!!!! Sometimes Mama would let us sleep and go pick them up. Soooo yummy!! To this day I still love Shipley's donuts! Every so often I must have some! Thank you Mama!!!
Christmas time was MAGICAL!!! Mana went all out on the decorations, treats and food. She made all of us girls personalized stockings and stuffed them full of goodies! There were an ABUNDANCE of presents and they were beautifully wrapped! Mama spent a lot of time wrapping presents. I Loved the big Christmas tree that went to to top of the 15 foot ceiling! I loved decorating it, and watching the lights twinkle. Mama made sure we had plenty of beautiful decorations and lights, inside and outside the house. I loved stringing popcorn for the tree. Most of it got eaten! Easter was also Magical. We always had awesome Easter baskets and outfits!!! They always included hats, gloves, purses and lace tights. And of course new Easter clothes and shoes. She worked hard with love to make every holiday special, and did!!!
For decades we would go to the Farmer's Markets, fruit fields, orchards and of course, bagel shops. There were several Farmer's markets, but our favorite was downtown. We would go at 6 or 6:30 a.m. The best stuff went first. Sometimes we'd just have to wait until after the picking. We started picking strawberries at McRae, AR. The we began going to Cabot and Lonoke for better fields. It got to the point, that for decades, every Saturday morning I would pick Mama up at 5 or 6 a.m. A few times I had to pull her out of bed by her feet!! We would head out to the fields, orchards, and markets. Each week we would spend hours picking exorbitant amounts of strawberries, grapes, blueberries, blackberries, plums, nectarines, peaches, tomatoes, Arkansas Black apples, and muscadines. Depending on what was in season. We traveled all over Central Arkansas, frequently missing exits from being engrossed in conversation. We went to Sparks for Mars grapes, Hidden Valley in Ferndale for blackberries and raspberries, Bethlehem for blueberries, Lonoke and Cabot for peaches and Collins Round Mountain Orchard. Collins Round Mountain Orchards was by far our favorite!! They had everything!!! Peaches, especially White Nectar, quickly became our favorite, but we loved them all. I would pick 100 pounds or more, and Mama would pick about 50-60 pounds at least. I did all the carrying, and loading. Thus, I taught myself to make jellies, Jams, butters and canning out of necessity of our "hobby". Mama generously gave a lot of hers to the other girls, and I shared with friends and doctor's offices I went to. As the time progressed we let them pick for us, but still got the delicious fruit and veggies!
After we picked we would go to the bagel shop. I loved the time we spent there!! We'd talk endlessly! We really enjoyed each other's company and bonded tightly. They sold them by the dozen, and we bought our fair share! One year Mama put a bag of a dozen bagels in a box and forgot about them. Come Christmas time she thought they were a gift, and someone got a box of moldy bagels for Christmas!!! I think it was Aunt Sarah, her sister. We all had a big laugh!!!
Another activity we enjoyed, when picking was out of season was the Cohn's End of The Month sale. We went for years. The lady that always helped us with clothing was Betty. She would see us coming and get ready! We had a blast every time we went. We also enjoyed going to Beans, and Grains and Things on Fairpark Blvd. I was probably about 6 years old. Barefooted as usual! Currently it is called Whole Foods, and is on Bowman.
I REMEMBER WHEN.....
HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY!!!!!
I LOVE YOU MAMA!!!!
TANYA RUTH
I miss you greatly!!!
Tanya Ruth Miller
M.JANE Templeton Cato of Calera.Alabama
Monday, September 16, 2024
May God continue to watch over Laura for all eternity . She has a lot of love to bring to all of Gods children!
Tanya Miller
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
I love and miss you Mama!!!! You are forever in my heart!!!! I'll always remember us going to the orchards and farmer's markets on so many weekends.
Until we meet again....
Evelyn Coppola
Friday, July 19, 2024
Angelo & I Adored this sweet lady so much. Always a smile. Rest in peace Ms Laura. E
Tina Aschenberg
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Absolutely beautiful!!!!!
Coy Sullivan
Saturday, June 15, 2024
You will be missed Momma Laura.
Johanna Oswald
Friday, June 14, 2024
Bert: I was so sorry to hear about Laura’s passing. I know that you will miss her so much. My sincere condolences to you and your entire family during this difficult time.
Justin Morris Albert Pike 714
Friday, June 14, 2024
My heart goes out to the family. Cody and Bert you are in the lodges thoughts and prayers as my own. It was always a pleasure to visit with her, and I know she will be missed.
Becky Cornett
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Laura and Dr. Miller are special to all of us at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church. They were active together in our Young At Heart program and he still is, even joining us this Tuesday for an activity! They epitomized what it means to be young in spirit all your life. What an example they set for all the rest of us in so many ways. Laura will be sorely missed. My love and sincere condolences to Dr. Miller, Ivory, Blanchie, and all the family.
Mary Ann and Eddie Pruett
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Although we never met Mrs. Miller, we would like to extend our condolences to Renee and Terry Easterwood and the rest of Mrs. Miller’s family. Blessings to all of you.
Monica Allison Wilder
Thursday, June 13, 2024
My condolences and prayers for your family during this very difficult time. Laura was a very sweet lady. My mom, Chris Allison, painted with Laura and adored her and Bert.
Susan White
Thursday, June 13, 2024
We all loved Momma Laura. Her smile filled everyone with a spirit of joy and comfort. She was gracious and kind. It's a loss we feel now; but a joy we will feel forever when we meet her again in heaven.
Sally, Matt, Reed & Aden Brewer
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Such a beautiful soul and a lovely person. Our family sends our prayers and love to you.
Sandra Franecke
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Everyone who had the opportunity to meet her was blessed. She was an amazing warm, giving lady in every sense of the word. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to spend the little time with her I spent. She enriched my life by simply knowing her. I am so sorry for your loss. Much love to you and your family. Sandy
David L Cato
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Such a vibrant spirit and laughter. Fun she was and fun she will exude in heaven with our maker.
Emma Vanhoose
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
My heart is with you all. Mom Miller was a special lady. Love, hugs and prayers for comfort being sent your way.
Wayne
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
I am so sorry however what a glorious life!
Love and prayers.