Doris Miller

Doris Ann (Rhoades) Miller was born December 27, 1927, in Sentinel Oklahoma to Edna Clara (Deen) Rhoades and Clifford Carter Rhoades.  She passed away January 24, 2024, in Eunice New Mexico at the age of 96 years. 

Doris grew up on a farm and graduated from nearby Port High School in 1945.  Her first job was working as an aide at the Tisdal hospital in Elk City.  On April 9, 1947, the doctor received a phone call that Woodward, OK had been hit by a tornado, so he asked Doris and a couple of nurses to travel with him to Woodward to help provide medical care.  Doris and a friend Loy Belle Gesell decided to attend nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City where she graduated from a 4-year program as a Registered Nurse in 1950.  They were hired by the administrator of a new Lea General Hospital opening in Hobbs, NM where they decided to relocate.  Doris later worked in the Eunice and Jal hospitals before retiring in the 70s.  She continued to work in the family business until 2006. 

A coworker organized a Christmas party for some friends where she met Louie Miller.  They later married on December 31, 1956, in Perryton, TX.  

 Doris is survived by two children Alan (wife Jackie) of Eunice, NM and Clifford of Amarillo, TX, two grandchildren, Wade Miller (wife Elesia) of Edgewood, NM and Jennifer Miller of Austin, TX, one brother Cecil Rhoades of Bismarck, ND one sister Reda Clay of Burnet, TX and nieces and nephews. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 51 years, and 3 siblings Weldon Rhoades of Sayre, OK, Nelda Van Orsdol of Longview, TX and Virginia Harris of Lindsay, OK.  

As a resident of Eunice for over 65 years, people might remember her for her many and varied interests.  She liked bowling, working puzzles at the Senior Center, going to the Methodist Church, watching school sports, travel, and keeping up with the grandkids.  She was the 2005 Patron of the Year at the Eunice Public Library and in 2019, Doris was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for her selfless giving, hard work, and many notable accomplishments. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Methodist church of Eunice or a favorite charity of your choice.