There was a beautiful reunion in Heaven on October 1st, 2026. Our beloved mommy, Ethel L. Thomas Miller, was welcomed by her Savior, Jesus Christ. Mommy met with our daddy, Elzie G. Miller, after a long-awaited reunion, along with a big hug from her grandson, Jason Roberts, and many family and friends.
Ethel was born to Oscar and JoAnn (Armstrong) Thomas of McCorkle Rd., Sod, WV. As their second child, she grew up surrounded by lots of fun times and great memories with her sisters and brother: Madeline (James) Roberts, Lorraine (Paul) Smith-Jones, Lowell “Jim” (Sharon) Thomas, Evelyn (Eugene) Ball, Ella (John) Hensley, and Barbara (David) McCallister.
She started writing as a pen pal to a young man in the Army who became her sweetheart. Elzie proposed, and they were married when he came stateside. They spent almost all of their married life in McCorkle raising us: Mary Ann (Arthur) Roberts, Donald (Elizabeth), David (Angie), Richard (Beth), and Michael (Jenny). Mommy and Daddy always made sure we were kept busy with camping trips to Ivy, raising animals (never name your favorite hog after your wife—it makes butchering it hard!), fishing, and swimming (Mom was a real trooper, even though she was afraid of swimming and worms!). She took raising her bunch like a champion, alongside our friends and cousins who loved her like a mom.
When she wasn’t wrangling us, she was tending to her garden, canning, cooking (adding a dip of her toe so it was tasty!), swinging on a porch swing, or scaring the daylights out of people by either dressing as a ghost or telling tales. She loved to read her Bible, make plastic canvas crafts (cherished gifts from her), and play FarmVille when she wasn’t coloring or doing puzzles (she loved her tablet!). Last but not least, she loved sharing her great love of music, boogie dancing, and Elvis!
After we grew up, she worked for Gino’s Pizza until Daddy became ill. She then spent her time caring for him (even though he would throw a biscuit now and then!) and helping to raise and grow our children.
She leaves behind many precious memories, traditions, and lessons for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with special rubs for her grand-fur babies, whom she adored just as much. Carrying on her traditions of love are her grands and greats: Jason (who was waiting for her in Heaven), Chris, Jessica, and Casey (Kimmy, Bella, and Ethan); Kassie, Jason, Heather, Justin, and Becca (Mason and Weston); Brandon and Brittany (Mackenleigh and Scarlett); Cora “she still hasn’t got her slingshot back!” (Draven and Koven); Ambrosia and Dave; Colt and Adrianna; River; Anita; Carolyn (Kayden and Serenity); David; and Debra (Braxton)—along with a ton of extended family she loved so very much.
She was attended both Eden Baptist and McCorkle Free Will Baptist Churches.
Please join us to celebrate our mommy, a true gift from God, on October 13th, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at McCorkle Free Will Baptist Church, 175 McCorkle Rd., Sod, WV 25564, with Pastor Rexall “Rick” Cooper and Assistant Pastor Jason Price officiating. Music and song will be provided by Billie Jo Watts, along with members of Eden Baptist Church of Griffithsville, WV 25521.
Special thank-yous are given to Curry Funeral Home, Eden Baptist and McCorkle Free Will Baptist churches, Hospice of Kanawha and Boone Counties, the nursing staffs of Thomas Memorial Hospital ICU and 4th Floor Pavilion, and the wonderful caregivers, RNs, and CNAs at Hillcrest Nursing Facility in Boone County. A special “we love you” goes out to Uncle Bill and to Diane from Hillcrest.
In lieu of flowers, mementos or gifts can be sent to the church or to Curry Funeral Home. Please also take a moment to consider memorial donations in Ethel’s memory, which may be directed to Eden Baptist Church, McCorkle Free Will Baptist Church, or Hospice of Kanawha/Boone County. These may be sent to Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Rd., Alum Creek, WV 25003, in care of arrangements.