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Diane Miller Obituary

Brought to you by Martin Funeral Home

Diane Miller

Waldron, Arkansas

October 24, 1945 - October 31, 2024

Diane Miller Obituary

Patricia (Diane) Sturgeon Miller went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2024, at the age of 79. She was born on October 24, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the cherished oldest daughter of Gladys Gange Sturgeon and Maurice Sturgeon.


Diane grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the age of 12, while attending a church service, she met the love of her life, Dale Miller. She knew then that she would grow up to be his wife. At the age of 17, she and Dale were married, and would begin their adventure together. They lived in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Nevada, gaining three daughters along the way, before settling in Waldron, Arkansas in 1975.


She was a devoted wife and mother. Diane worked various jobs over the years. One of her most notable professions was being a seamstress. She was well known for the beautiful bridal gowns and formals she created. Another job she dearly loved was being the secretary for the Waldron United Methodist Church. Little did she know when starting there that her time as secretary would lead her to an amazing life of service to the Lord. She became a lay speaker, occasionally filling in for pastors of small churches in the area. She then began to obtain her course of study in Christian ministry, attending classes at various colleges and universities, such as Southern Methodist in Dallas, Texas, and Wesleyan University in Washington, D.C., to name a couple. After the passing of her husband Dale in 2004, Diane fully dedicated her life to serving the Lord. Over the course of more than twenty years, she would be the pastor of Birdsview, Square Rock, Greenridge, and Parks United Methodist Churches in the Scott County Area. She would retire from her final service as pastor for the Waldron United Methodist Church in 2021.


Her love for the Lord and every person she came into contact with was quite obvious. She loved to reach out to those around her. She worked side by side with many other church leaders on the Ministerial Alliance in Scott County. She was dedicated to the Waldron UMC food pantry. She also loved the First Saturday Trade Days breakfast. She enjoyed serving those who would stop by for food and fellowship. The community Thanksgiving dinner was also one of her most loved projects to participate in. Her most recent outreach was to place small Jesus figurines in random places. Her hope was that folks would pick them up and take them with them. She believed that “everyone needs a little Jesus.”


Diane loved life, she loved to travel. From Niagara Falls to the Grand Canyon to Alaska to Germany and more, she traveled the world, enjoying the beauty and people God gave her. One of her favorite travel friends, Joann, took many of those trips with her. Joann would laughingly say that they traveled great together because they both got tired at the same time.


There are so many beautiful things to say about Diane. Her love for people as well as her patience, hunger for knowledge and adventure, were obvious.


She was given a miracle of exactly two years beyond her diagnosis. She touched countless people with her ability to find joy, even in the toughest battles. She loved to tell people, “I’m gonna live ‘til I die if it kills me.” Lived she did. And we are all better off for having had her in our lives.


Diane was preceded in death her parents, Gladys and Maurice Sturgeon, her husband Dale, and her nephew, Ken Auld.


She will forever be cherished in the memories of her children, Dawna Young and Shawn of Waldron, Arkansas, Denise Rice and Roger of Waldron, Arkansas, and Desiree James and Allen of Waldron, Arkansas. Gramma Dan will also live on in the hearts of her grandchildren, Sandra Gray and Brittany of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Danielle Stover of Waldron, Arkansas, Cameron Young of Waldron, Arkansas, Brianna Young of Waldron, Arkansas, Daniel Allen and Jennifer of Alma, Arkansas, Ryan Allen and Jacqueline of Waldron, Arkansas, Matt James and Kayla of Rogers, Arkansas, Megan Tedford and Kyle of Rogers, Arkansas, Nathan James and Courtney of Waldron, Arkansas. GiGi dearly loved and was loved by her great-grandchildren Elisa, Abby, Avery, Christian, Katelynn, Mason, Jacob, Madison, Jackson, Nova, Colt, Lila, Charlie, and Scarlett.


She was deeply loved by and will be remembered by her brother, Bobby Sturgeon and Wanda of Johnson City, Texas, her sister, Linda Auld and Eddie of Alamogordo, New Mexico, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.


Diane’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Waldron United Methodist Church.


She will be interred alongside her husband, Dale, at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.


Memorial contributions can be made to the Waldron United Methodist food pantry.


Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Funeral & Cremation – Waldron.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Diane, please visit our floral store.

Patricia (Diane) Sturgeon Miller went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2024, at the age of 79. She was born on October 24, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the cherished oldest daughter of Gladys Gange Sturgeon and Maurice Sturgeon.


Diane grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the age of 12, while attending a ch

Events

Service

Saturday, November 9, 2024

11:00 am

Waldron United Methodist Church

536 Featherston Street Waldron, Arkansas 72958 Waldron, AR 72958

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