On the evening of Sunday, May 31st, while encircled by family and friends with hands held and praying, Jesus entered into our midst and peacefully carried Malcolm Welch Miller to his eternal home. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 4th at Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas at 10:30 AM with Dr. Chet Haney officiating. The graveside services will follow at the IOOF Cemetery in Caddo Mills, Texas. The services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home of Greenville, Texas. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Malcolm was born on August 16th, 1933 near the city of Greenville, Texas. He was the fourth child of Alta Fay Henderson Miller, the newly widowed wife of Dalton Blanton Miller. He attended his early school years in Union Valley, Cash, Concord, and Caddo Mills. His high school years began in Merit, and then completed in Greenville. He furthered his education by correspondence courses and on-the-job trainings. On December 19, 1959, he married his best friend and heart mate, Audrey Jean Burton Miller, in Caddo Mills, Texas. Their love here on this earth encompassed a span of 55 years.
Surviving Malcolm are his three daughters and their families: Sonya Clark and husband Jerry Clark of Caddo Mills, Leah Cathy Miller of Wolfe City, Michelle Frazier and husband Stephen Frazier of Caddo Mills. Grandchildren are Amber Harvey and husband Brian Harvey of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Daniel Clark and wife Kris Ann Clark of Commerce, Dustin Clark and wife Nancy Clark of Mabank, Zachary Frazier and wife Mia Frazier of Longview, and Isaac Frazier of Denton. Also surviving him are 3 great-grandchildren, McClaine and Brooks Clark, and Grady Clark.
Audrey preceded Malcolm in death on January 7th, 2015. Also preceding him in death were his parents and his siblings Austin Miller, Hulon Miller, and Vivian Miller Hicks.
Malcolm began a career as a firefighter for the City of Greenville, Texas. Shortly after, he suffered a serious medical event, after which he was unable to return. He then was employed by what eventually became Raytheon (now L-3) in Greenville, Texas, and remained there almost 38 years. There he worked in many roles, the most enduring as a test engineer where he was able to enjoy his lifelong love of planes and flying.
Malcolm dedicated his life first to his Lord, and then to his family. Yet he was also a servant. He helped provide for his family from a very young age in various ways. He served his country in the Texas National Guard. His role as a firefighter was fueled by a passion to serve others. Even when he was forced to change careers, he found a way to serve. His role at Raytheon enabled him to remain in service to his country in a different but vital way.
Malcolm was also a member of both the Greenville and the Caddo Mills Masonic Lodges, and a member of The Scottish Rite.
Malcolm served through his faith. He was ordained as a Deacon at Paradise Baptist Church of Caddo Mills. He was a Deacon and charter member of Vansickle Baptist Church near Greenville until the family moved in 1977. Upon returning to Greenville a year later, Malcolm joined Highland Terrace Baptist Church where his membership remained. Malcolm and Audrey always opened their hearts and home to include others, and many a person has been known to also call them Dad and Mom, Uncle and Aunt. As his health declined, he still served others in many subtle and unseen ways, even in the past months through involvement as a resident at the Lodge at Colonial.
Malcolm was also a gifted musician, with his instrument of choice the guitar, although he could play others. This talent was used in early years through a group known as “The Sundowners.” After the band disassembled due to a desire to focus on growing families, he served musically through the church and any other opportunity he could find, be it with family, a community event, or teaching young people how to play. Any time Malcolm’s hands weren’t busy with work, they most often either had his Bible or his guitar in them. The notes of his life will never be silent in our memory, and his touch upon the guitar strings in our hearts will play on.
Pallbearers will be Keith Miller, Tod McMahan, Mark McMahan, James Farmer, Terry Jones, and Daniel Clark.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. James Nicholson, MD, Dustin Clark, Royce Litchfield, and Ron Byers.
In honor of his love of music, the Caddo Mills Opry, and his lifelong friendships with the people of Caddo Mills, a memorial donation in lieu of flowers may be made to the Caddo Mills Historical Society, P O Box 752, Caddo Mills, Texas 75135.