of Little Rock, AR
January 7, 1934 - March 8, 2021
Bonnie Cullen Miller, 87, of Little Rock, passed away on March 8, 2021 in the early morning. She was born in Macon, Missouri on January 7, 1934 to William and Hazel Hortense Cullen and was raised in nearby La Plata with her two sisters. During high school, Bonnie met the love of her life, Milton H. Miller, and they worked together as soda jerks at the local drugstore in La Plata. Bonnie played the sousaphone in her high school marching band and was on the high school basketball team, and she was later a devoted Razorbacks football and basketball fan.
Shortly after their marriage in 1954, Ms. Miller followed her husband overseas to Germany, where he was stationed with the U.S. Army in the town of Crailsheim. While there, Bonnie gave birth to the first of their three children, Cathy Lynn, and after their return to the United States, Cathy was joined by her siblings Steven Milton, a child with special needs, and Ann Marie. Bonnie and Milton and their children lived in Missouri, Kansas, and Wisconsin before settling down permanently in Arkansas in the early 1970s. She spent many years with Milton at Oaklawn during the racing season and on Lake Hamilton in the summers, and was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
Bonnie was a skilled and devoted homemaker. Her family could always count on her for care packages, decorating advice, summer daycare, and hot meals on a moment's notice. She sewed innumerable outfits and costumes for her children and grandchildren, including both of her daughters' wedding gowns in the same summer, and could paint a room better and faster than any professional. Bonnie had a sharp wit and was a good storyteller; on long road trips she used her "voice made for radio" to read tirelessly to her four grandchildren, to whom she was known very affectionately as Mema. She was the nerve center of the family, writing countless cards and keeping track of her and Milton's many friends, neighbors, and extended relations. Bonnie also stayed abreast of local and national news and politics throughout her life, and was as fiercely loyal to her country as to her family.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Peggy Hanley and Mary Lynn McElhinney, her husband of 58 years Milton H. Miller, their son Steven Milton Miller, and their grandson James Steven Webb. She is survived by her daughters Cathy (James) Webb and Ann (Mark) Langston, her grandchildren John Kevin Webb, Alyssa (Chandler) Watson, and Samuel Alan Langston, and her great-grandchildren Brooks Miller Watson and Audrey June Watson.
The family wishes to thank Bonnie's longtime, trusted personal physician, Dr. Kenneth Johnston, and also wishes to give thanks to Bonnie's caregivers from SeniorKare and to the staff of Arkansas Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Second Presbyterian Church, to Arkansas Hospice, or to the animal shelter of your choice. Graveside services will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Park on Monday, March 15, 2021, at 10:00am.
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13 Condolence(s)
Joan Browning Foster
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Hi Ann,
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. What a lovely, Godly woman. My mom just passed a week ago. We were looking through old pictures and one had our moms in our backyard. One thing led to another and Don found her obituary. I hope you are well. Praying for you to be surrounded by loved ones and sweet memories.
Donald Browning
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Bonnie was a dear next door neighbor through many of my childhood and into my adult years. During the shock and grief of losing my father in December of 2000, Bonnie brought over a large pot of homemade mushroom soup. It brings tears to my eyes, her kindness. It is a remarkable coincidence that my mother JoAnn passed away only a month after Bonnie. Rest In Peace gentle Ladies
Jean Kohler
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Bonnie was such a great lady. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed her. We were friends from Second Presbyterian Church. Our birthdays were 8 days apart (same year) and we went out for a joint birthday lunch every year (even though it was sometimes delayed). Of course, we didn't this year but we did have a nice phone conversation though she was so short of breath that it broke my heart. She was so proud of all her family. I had really enjoyed Milt too and they were a lovely couple. Milt was even in my exercise class before he became ill. My sympathy to all the family. Bonnie will be greatly missed.
Becky Hale
Sunday, March 14, 2021
I don’t know where to begin. There is so much I could say but I will be brief. Bonnie and Milt were our neighbors for @25 years. She was the one of the loveliest people I have ever known. She was caring and a great confidant.....keeping your secrets and giving wise advice..but only if asked! Bonnie was always interested in others and it was an honor when she shared herself with you. She was a great friend and role model, and probably the best grandmother I have ever seen, her grandchildren were beyond blessed to have her! She will be missed by many and I am blessed to have known her and to call her my friend. God’s blessings on her family, she was one of a kind!
Becky Hale
Anne Brantley
Friday, March 12, 2021
Bonnie was one of my favorite church friends. She and Milton were always ready to greet with such great enthusiasm! Bonnie was so open and lovely at Pres. Women. I can honestly say that I will miss her such a great deal! Rest well, Bonnie; and know that you will be missed.
Prayers and thoughts to her family. Anne Brantley
Darlene Baker
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Aunt Bonnie was the quintessential role model of the perfect wife and homemaker. Kevin has so many wonderful memories of the happy times spent with Milton, Bonnie, Cathy and Ann. What a beautiful influence she has been to our extended family. So comforting to know she will join Uncle Milton and others in the place where we all aspire to be.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Darlene and Kevin Baker
Katie, Zack, Clark, Becka and Luke
Jeff Miller
Thursday, March 11, 2021
We were all blessed to know such a wonderful woman.
Jeff, Angie, & Seth Miller
David Miller / Miriam Miller
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Cathy & Ann
Our sincere condolences
What a classy caring lovely lady Bonnie was and wow what an exceptional homemaker
We loved Bonnie & we love you Cathy & Ann / Bonnie has two wonderful daughters
David Miller / Miriam Miller
Todd Baker
Thursday, March 11, 2021
We are going to miss you Aunt Bonnie!
Bill and Gaylia Grant
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Our beautiful, self-giving Bonnie is now receiving her "We'll done, good and faithful servant!"
Irv Miller
Thursday, March 11, 2021
We pray Gods peace for your family
Peggy Peek
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Cathy, you know your family is very special to me. I love each and every one of you. My hope is that there is a Heavenly reunion going on upstairs! Love you so, Peggy xoxo
Chesta Norton
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you, Ann so sorry to hear this news.
Chesta and JB