Halrita Yvonne Miller's Obituary
Obituary – Hal Rita Yvonne Miller 9/30/20
Hal Rita "Jughead" Miller was born Hal Rita Yvonne Webber on September 9, 1942 in Oklahoma City, OK, to Bonnie Estelle Gibson and Hal Gordon Webber. She was the eldest of four children. She lived in Arizona as a child, then moved to Dallas at 17 where she met Alvin Eugene Miller AKA “Miller” on a blind date. She fell in love with him and his family – his mother Ora Miller, his father Horace Alvin Miller and his twin sister Mackie Miller. They were married on January 20, 1962.
She had many jobs in her life - an administrative assistant, a furniture builder, and she worked in clothing retail. She and Miller spent many years racing cars and dragsters as a hobby, where they made a lot of dear friends in the racing circle. Most of their weekends in the 70's, 80's and part of the 90's were spent traveling and racing at local dragstrips. It became their passion, making many beloved, long time friends along the way. If you're wondering about the nickname "Jughead" it came from the day when she sneaked Miller's front engine dragster out and made a very fast pass down the drag strip with it! Miller called her a Jughead and it stuck! :)
She loved making her home pretty, and was an avid gardener, working hard every Spring and Summer. She and Miller grew tomatoes, okra, onions, jalapenos, bell peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and had some peach trees. They would make picante sauce and peach jam every summer, and usually had lots of extra vegetables to pass out to the neighbors. She used to grow the biggest tomatoes in New Hope, giving them to the owners of New Hope Grocery so they could use them on their world famous (well, almost) hamburgers! She loved making her yard look like a golf course, trimming trees and bushes, and pruning her huge garden. She was proud of saying she had the prettiest yard in the neighborhood.
She had many, many dogs and cats over the years, as well as a possum, a raccoon, some ferrets and some parakeets. She was an animal lover deluxe! She was never without a pet and most of the time you could find her dogs (especially Bear, Sheila, Spike and Maggie) lying with her in the recliner, and later in years, her cats kept her company on her bed, her constant companions. Animals of all kinds seemed to congregate to her house. She often told stories of her Arabian mare Trixie she had as a teenager. She rode in rodeos and parades with Trixie, who was aptly named as she was a trained trick horse who could count her age, bow, and prance on command. Those memories were some of Rita's fondest. She loved animals of all kinds.
What was most important about her was her ability to be a friend to just about anyone. She never liked saying "No." If you needed help, she would go out of her way to help you. She was that way with her friends, and family, and anyone who knew her. She was generous to a fault, and would give away expensive jewelry, money, or whatever you needed.
She absolutely adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was fond of saying she had the most beautiful grand-kids ever, proudly carrying their pictures in her wallet and showing them to anyone who would look. She doted on her grand-kids, Dustin and Morgan, and they loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa there on their acre in New Hope. They both loved riding the golf cart on the 6 miles of trails near her house. Her grandson Dustin enjoyed helping Miller in his shop, fixing lawn mowers, weed eaters, car engines and whatever else Miller was working on. Morgan loved eating fresh vegetables out of the garden and playing with the dogs and cats.
Morgan remembers Grandparents' Day when she was in elementary school. Lots of grandparents showed up, some in overalls, and none of them dressed up – except HER grandmother! Rita showed up in a leopard print shirt with matching pants and beautiful hat with leopard print! This was typical Rita fashion. It made Morgan so proud.
She loved playing Bingo and was extremely lucky! Many times she would win so much she would have to have an escort take her to her car. She had a beautiful white 1988 Cadillac Sedan De Ville that she kept in immaculate condition. She absolutely adored that car - it was so her - she loved classy and fancy – whether it was cars or jewelry, she had top notch taste.
She loved going to the Choctaw and usually won. She played the lottery quite often, and once she came within 1 number of winning the Lottery. She said Miller nearly fainted!
Rita was also a faithful caregiver for nearly a decade for her husband's twin sister, Mackie, who suffered from cerebral palsy until Miller fell ill in 2001 and Mackie was put in a nursing home. Rita loved visiting Mackie and bringing her home on special occasions. Miller sadly passed in 2003 after being ill several years. Mackie was a beloved member of the family until she passed in 2016.
Rita was a caring mother to her daughter (also Rita) – always there to support, listen, encourage and help in any way through life's trials and tribulations. She was a mother, friend and someone you could tell anything and never worry about being judged. She went above and beyond, giving more and loving more than was ever expected or asked for.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, and her 3 siblings, Robert Webber, Marqueta Hight, and Gordon Webber, and her husband Alvin Eugene Miller.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Rita Christman, grandson Dustin Raleeh, granddaughter Morgan Raleeh, great granddaughter Alaina Raleeh and great grandson Austin Raleeh.
Rita's generous spirit and loving personality will be greatly missed. She touched many people in her lifetime. She went out from this lifetime smiling, I am sure remembering a life well lived and friends and family well loved.
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