Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Helen Miller

Funeral services for Helen Joyce Miller, 75, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the Prescott Church of God, 1229 Walnut Street, in Prescott.

A musical tribute, "Sing to the Glory of God", will be in her memory at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Ms. Miller was born April 9, 1928, in Prescott, the only child of Robert Miller and Gladys Moncrief Miller. Her mother died when she was young and she was reared by her uncle and aunt, C.G. and Rachel Moncrief.

Except for living briefly in Detroit and for several years in Charleston, South Carolina, Helen spent her life in Prescott. For most of her life she was pianist and choir director at the Prescott Church of God, where she was a member since her childhood. Throughout her life she shared her musical talents in the church and in the community. She sang in various choirs including the Baptist Congress Chorus, the McRae Reunion Choir, and as she was pianist for the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. Helen was active in various community activities, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Ila Upchurch Center.

During her professional career, Helen was secretary for the Nevada County Home Extension Office and McRae High School. Ms. Miller also worked at Lone Star Depot. She retired after more than 20 years as librarian at the Nevada County Library.

When her health failed, Helen moved to Texas to be near her daughter and son-in-law. She took seriously the Biblical directive to "give counsel" and to encourage younger people.

God set her free from the pains of life in the early hours of January 30, 2004. She died at the Baylor University Medical Center.

Survivors include: one daughter, Lyndia and son-in-law, Kennith Washington of Waxahachie, Tex.; one son, Samuel Richardson of Little Rock; grandsons, Eric and Trent Richardson of Conroe, Tex.; one sister, Irma Miller (Willi H.) Gilmore of Pine Bluff; one brother, Robert Miller, Jr. of Milwaukee; stepmother, Jessie Miller of Pine Bluff; aunt, Bernice Moncrief Perkins of Little Rock, and many cousins and friends.