Murna Welch Miller

MILLER, MURNA WELCH (1930 ~ 2022). The following is an obituary for Murna Miller, spouse of former District Judge Jack Miller. The obituary was published in the February 16, 2022 edition of the Austin American Statesman.

Murna Loy Welch Miller, 91, of Austin, Texas, peacefully entered the kingdom of her Heavenly Father on February 8, 2022, surrounded by all her children. Our precious Mom and Nana was born October 5, 1930, on the family farm northeast of Friona, Texas, the seventh and youngest child of Ford and Lucy Welch. Murna’s childhood was secure and happy, spent in the country sharing long hours with her family. She attended school in Friona where she was involved in band, choir and was a class officer. In 1949, she was crowned Miss Friona. After graduation she attended Abilene Christian College where she met the love of her life, Jack Reeves Miller from Dimmitt, Texas, 31 miles from Friona. The next year they both transferred to Texas Technological College and were married on August 28, 1951.

Jack served in the Army and graduated from the University of Texas Law School, and then they returned to Dimmitt to raise their growing family. Murna finally received her degree from Texas Tech in 1966 in the midst of raising four children. She taught her children by example to live happily, find joy in doing your best and to serve others with great love. She worked tirelessly while making it look so easy. She continued her love of spending long hours with her family, not only with her husband and children, but also her large extended family and later with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one was so precious to her!

She spent time supporting Jack in his career as a lawyer and a State District Judge by helping with campaigning and travel plans. Her children kept her busy with church and school activities including sports and band. In her free time she enjoyed sewing, becoming a Life Master duplicate bridge player, babysitting grandkids, researching her family history and needlepoint. She was also a volunteer for Hale Center Crisis Center, a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and an officer in the Daughters of the American Revolution. She worked as the secretary at the 4th and Bedford Church of Christ in Dimmitt and was very involved in all the churches she attended in Dimmitt, Plainview, Marble Falls and Austin, where she had many wonderful friends from each community. Jack and Murna loved to travel around the world learning about other places and cultures, eventually reaching all seven continents. They were married 66 years before Jack passed away on May 22, 2017. In the winter season of her life, she was surrounded with wonderful friends at Westminster. Manor and got great joy from her family, especially the next generation.

She is survived by her four children: Brent and Linda Miller of Carrollton, Texas; Norman and Kim Hays of Dimmitt, Texas; Hal and Cyndy Miller of Austin, Texas; and Bingiee and Cara Shiu of Houston, Texas. Grandchildren are Jess and Taryn Owen of Corinth, Texas; Jason and Brooke Miller of Austin, Texas; Craig Miller of Denver, Colorado; Ryan and Alyson Hays of San Diego, California; Kyle and Lyndsay Miller of Murphy, Texas; Chris Miller of Carrollton, Texas; Brad and Sara Miller of Austin, Texas; Daniel and Valerie Shiu of San Antonio, Texas; Nike Shiu of Frisco, Texas; and Conner Miller of Abilene, Texas. Great-grandchildren are Luke Hays, Deianna Alvarez, Mahliea Miller, Jayde Miller, Tigo Miller, Fallyn Miller, Irie Miller, Halle Miller, Shepard Miller and Jackson Shiu. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Joe Brown, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The memorial service for Murna Miller will be on February 25, 2022, at the Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services for the extended family will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Texas State Cemetery. If you would like to honor her with a memorial, please choose your favorite charity.