A life long resident of the Ava community Joe Barney Miller, son of Bernie Miller and Josie (Hatfield) Miller, was born on May 25, 1929, in Ava, and raised by his grandmother, Sadie and her husband, Jim Matney. He passed away from a long illness on Oct. 8, 2007, in his home in Ava, with his loving family by his side.
Joe B. was a life long resident of the Ava community. He was a farmer and school bus driver for the Ava R-1 District for 28 years.
On March 24, 1943 Joe B. and Goldie Jenkins were united in mar¬riage in Ava, by the Rev. Leonard Silvey.
Joe B. loved working and grab¬bing suckers. He also enjoyed lis¬tening to hounds run. Joe B. recently made a profession of faith and was saved. He loved being with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bernie; his mother, Josie; grandmother, Sadie and Jim; two brothers, Russell and Tommy Miller; a half sister, Mary Ann Coonce; and a great-great-grand¬daughter, Alya Grace Barcus.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie, of the home; one daughter and three sons and their spouses, Reba and Don Nash, Ava, Joe Pete and Jeannie Miller, Ava, Jack and Connie Miller, Ava, and Jimmy and Brenda Miller, Squires; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchil¬dren; two sisters, Nelly Turner, Ava, and Betty Jean and Ernie Scott, San Bernardino, Calif.; one brother, Johnny and Norma Jean Miller, San Bruno, Calif.; two sis¬ters-in-law, Ruby Miller, Ava, and Wanda Sue Miller, Mansfield; half brothers and sisters, Jack Miller and family, of Colorado, Mike and Evelyn Miller and family, Kansas City, Alvin and Rosie Miller and family, Ava; brother-in-law, Woodrow Coonce and family, Ava; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Clink¬ingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Rev. David Dodson officiating. The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Whites Creek Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Clinking¬beard Funeral Home, Ava. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.
