Ellis "Pops" Miller

On April 9, 2020 Ellis “Pops” Miller was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. 

Due to our current health conditions and regulations for small gatherings there will be a private family service in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel at 2:00 PM Monday, April 13, 2020 with Rev. Tom Stribling, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Happy, officiating.  Burial will follow in Miami Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.  When the restrictions are lifted a “Celebration of a Great Life” will be held for family and friends in honor of Ellis. We encourage the public to go to our website and leave a message on the Hugs and Kisses from Home page, https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/hugs-and-kiss-from-home, the messages will be printed out and attached to a white balloon with a Hershey Kiss and placed in a pew inside our chapel.

Ellis’s funeral will be livestreamed at https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/live-streaming. We also will be broadcasting through a FM Transmitter on the radio at the chapel and the cemetery in Miami.  Our staff will be able to give you the radio station on Monday, once you have arrived at the funeral home. 

Ellis was born on May 30, 1947 to Arthur and Mary Miller in Plainview, Texas.  He loved his family, his country, the FFA, and friends that quickly became family. Ellis lived in Wolfforth and worked as an Ag teacher from 1976-1979.  Later moving to Miami, Texas where he was an Ag teacher and FFA advisor for 21 years.  After retiring he and Tresa became owners of Miller’s Insurance Agency where he loved being an insurance agent.  But Ellis’ most beloved job was being Santa’s helper. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Ellis was very passionate about his country and was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served with the Army. He was also passionate about people.  Ellis had the gift of gab and would talk to just about anyone.  With this gift he made so many friends always showing them what it meant to be kind.  Before Ellis became ill you never saw him without his camera, documenting memory after memory.

Ellis is survived by his wife of 50 years, Tresa Miller of Pampa, Texas; daughter, Trishelle Miller, of the home; son, Jason Miller and wife Barbara of Dalhart, Texas; grandsons K.C. Miller of Stratford, Texas; Tyler Miller of Lubbock, Texas; Jaylan Miller of Dalhart, Texas; brother, Junebug Miller and wife Penny of Ransom Canyon, Texas; sister, Mary Mag Henderson and husband Mark of Big Lake, Texas; brother-in-law, Joey Taylor and Jeff Pinkerton of Santa Fe, N.M.; brother-in-law, Kirk Taylor and wife Diane of Petersburg, Texas; brother-in-law, Brent Taylor of Lubbock, Texas; brother-in-law, Trent Taylor and wife Jamie of White Deer, Texas; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

Ellis’ family and friends will always be sincerely grateful to have shared in his life journey.  They are also thankful for all the love and support that have received through the last 13 years of Ellis’ life.  In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Area 1 FFA, Area I FFA Association c/o Alan Been P.O. Box 130 Earth, Texas 79031.  We shall see you again.

“I’ll walk just beyond the moon then I’ll stop and wait on you.” –Tex Ritter