Leona Mae Miller, beloved wife of William Karl Miller, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 96 years young, passed away peacefully on the 20th of March, 2018. Leona was born in Homerville, Ohio on the 21st of April, 1921 to Peter and Margaret Feiling Reese. She was the youngest of five children born to Peter and Margaret.

As a boy during the summers, William would be sent to visit his aunt and uncle in Homerville, Ohio to work in his uncle's grocery store. It was in Homerville, that Leona and William met. In July of 1942, Bill enlisted in the U. S. Navy serving 3½ years on the WWII destroyer USS Juette. They were married in Beaumont on March 23, 1944 while he was on leave when his ship was in port at Charleston, South Carolina for repairs. They stayed in Charleston until his ship left again and Leona went back to Ohio until his discharge in September of 1945.

Leona was a thoughtful and loving homemaker. In her early years she loved to sew, making many beautiful dresses for her daughter and herself. In later years, reading was her passion, particularly Christian inspired novels. Bill, Leona and their extended family enjoyed weekends and holidays at their ranch near Brenham for many years until it became too much for them to handle. They enjoyed their time there "counting cows" and fishing in the lake as well as raising and showing quarter horses.

Leona is preceded in death by her husband of 73 years William, her siblings Kate Roose, Peter Reese, William Reese and Ethel Voorhees and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Ann and husband Harold Mathis of Richmond, Texas, her son William Karl Miller II and wife Barbara of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and her son Jeffrey Scott Miller of Pearland, Texas, five grandchildren Benjamin Lamar Mathis of Pasadena, California, Kristopher Joseph and wife Poonam Mathis of New York City, New York, Jeffrey Scott, Jr. and wife Emmaly Miller of Friendswood, Texas, Justin Blake and wife Heather Miller of Joplin, Missouri, and Jordan Blaine Miller of College Station, Texas, and great grandchildren Lillian Grace Miller of Joplin, Missouri and Pierce Sharma Mathis of New York City, New York.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 4 at 11 a.m., South Park Funeral Home, with her nephew, Reverend Don Shannon officiating. The family will have gathered for burial prior to this service.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolence messages may be written for the Miller family at www.garmanycarden.com .

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.