John Leslie Miller

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 29, 2013

June 10, 1921 – March 23, 2013

ROXIE — Services for John Leslie “J.L.” Miller, 91, of Roxie, who died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Roxie with the Dr. Steven Harrison officiating.

Burial will follow at Byrd Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the church.

Mr. Miller was born June 10, 1921, in Adams County, the son of Johnnie and Leslie Norman Miller.

Mr. Miller served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 773rd Engineer Dump Truck Company and was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America (DVA.)

He was a dedicated member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a senior deacon and on the usher board. He achieved the title of P.S.G.P. to the 33rd degree and was a faithful member to a number of Masonic and Order of the Eastern Star associations: M.W.W.T.M. Grant Jr. Grand Lodge, Adah Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Alkoran Temple No. 35, Adams -Odell Amranth Court No. 2, Mount Olive Lodge No. 14, Mount Olive Chapter No. 9. Past Patron Administrative Council and Past Masters Council.

He dutifully served on a number of other organizations and committees which included Franklin County NAACP, Franklin County Democratic Committee, Franklin County Singing Convention, Franklin County Sunday School Baptist Training Union Association, chairperson of the Democratic Executive Committee for district one, Morgan Fork Association, Natchez Chapter of ACLU, American Legion, Andrew Jackson Boy Scouts and the National Youth Association of Brookhaven.

He lent his heavenly voice to choirs that included Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Sweet Home Baptist Church, Hollywood Baptist Church, Crown Point United Methodist Church, Zion Missionary Baptist Church and M.W.W.T.M. Grant Jr. Grand Lodge and Adah Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star.

He lent words and ideas to both the Franklin Advocate and the Bluff City Post newspapers. When he was not busy with his many organizations, he enjoyed a number of leisure activities such as fishing, gardening, farming and reupholstering and restoring furniture.

Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Gloria D. Purnell; three brothers, Elbert Miller Sr., Charles Miller and Freddie Miller; and one sister, Maurice Miller.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Christine B. Miller; two granddaughters, Christina S. Purnell and Jaynetta M. Theodore; one great-grandson, Christopher J. Hargrove; four brothers, Thomas Miller Sr. and wife, Jacqueline, and Leroy Miller and wife, Ernestine, all of Brownsville, Tenn., Marvin Miller of Roxie and Jimmy Adams and wife, Ethel, of Natchez; three godchildren, Michael Wright of Roxie, O’Shea Squalls of Texas and Terquesha Tina Tillman of Pearl; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.