Donia Miller

Donia “Joan” Miller

February 19, 1936 – January 5, 2020

Donia “Joan” Miller was born on February 19, 1936 in Denton, Texas and came with her family to Roswell, New Mexico where she grew up.  There, she met Percy B. Miller at Walker Air Force Base, married in 1952 and started a family which would grow to include five children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  As a military wife, Joan and her family moved continuously until settling back in Roswell following Percy’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1969.  Joan worked at Bob Whitaker Trucking and in the banking field, retiring from Sunwest Bank after more than 20 years.

Joan was a competitive bowler and traveled to tournaments across the U.S. with her teammates, winning numerus awards including the Women’s National Division 1 title in 1974. She also enjoyed shopping, watching Alabama football, making her signature green chile enchiladas, beating everyone at dominoes, and her weekly card games with close friends.

Christmas was undoubtedly Joan’s favorite time of year. Her massive collection of Santa figures and sparkling decorations made her home a holiday wonderland for guests and family.

Throughout her life, Joan was entirely devoted to her family. She is preceded in death by an infant sister Alta Ray, her parents S.F. “Rod” and Jimmie Herrod, her beloved husband Percy Miller, cousin Shirley “Toby” Dunnahoo and close friends Queta Drumm and Joanne Prince.

She is survived by her five children, Kay Lykins, Rodney Miller, Shari Higgs and her husband David, James Miller and his wife Melanie and Tim Miller and his wife Suzy.  Other surviving family include her sister Sharon McKay and her husband Jim, her grandson Chris Lykins, his wife Melody and their daughter Ali Lykins and fiancé Lance Bradley, granddaughter Shari Lykins and her children Christian and Caden Acosta, her grandson and daughter Sam and Abby Higgs, and her grandson Xander Miller.  Near-family include Joe “Shorty” Silvas, Jr. and his children Dominque, Joel and Noah. She will also be missed by extended family including members of the Dunnahoo family and by many close friends such as Gerry McCann, Bonnie Lansford, and Kate Brown.

The family would like to acknowledge Encompass Hospice who provided such comfort to Joan in her final days, especially Rebekah, Maureen, Catrina, Alice and Jose.

A viewing will be held from 3:00 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, January 9, 2020 also at Ballard Funeral Home will burial to follow at South Park Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Sam Higgs, David Higgs, Rick Candelaria, Joe “Shorty” Silvas, Jr., Gary Mendiola and Chris Lykins.