Aug. 16, 1932 – April 2, 2011

STARKVILLE — Services for Charlene McPhate Miller, 78, of Starkville, who left this life in perfect peace Saturday, April 2, 2011, at OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville, will be at 11 a.m. today at Welch Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Gardner and the Rev. James Gardner officiating.

Burial will follow at Curtis Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Welch Funeral Home in Starkville.

Mrs. Miller was born Aug. 16, 1932, in Fayette and has lived in Starkville for the last 50 years.

She was a member of Columbus Christian Center in Columbus pastored by her son-in-law, Kenny Gardner.

Her life was well spent with her faith, family and friends. She loved life. She was a homemaker but was employed 12 years at Mississippi State. Home gardening was her passion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Miller.

Survivors include five children, Ronald Joe Miller of Caledonia, Deborah Gardner and Anthony Miller, both of Columbus, Nancy Warren of Pontotoc and Joe Miller Jr. of Starkville; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Thomae of Natchez.

She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren, but, will leave behind a legacy of love and wonderful memories that will forever be in the memory vault of their hearts.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31: 28

“Rest in peace mama.”

“You are not in our past but in our future.”

Pallbearers will be her five children, her son-in-law, Paul Warren, her only grandson, Michael Miller, and her special neighbor and gardening buddy, Junior Williams.