Juanita Mae "Weedie" Miller

Juanita Mae “Weedie” Bristol Miller was promoted to the Kingdom of Heaven April 9, 2025, following a valiant fight with cancer for over two decades.

Juanita exuded peace and grace as she traveled her journey through Death's Shadowed Valley into the gates of Heaven.

Weedie (dubbed so by her niece, Cathy Horn, who could not pronounce “Juanita”) was born November 1, 1929, in Coweta, Oklahoma to Lonzo and Ethel Bristol. Her childhood memories were always held inside her heart and she often told many endearing and entertaining stories of growing up during the depression. She said she never felt the sting of it, because they were such a happy family. She loved her younger sister, Helen, and they remained in constant contact every day of her life until the day she died. She regaled her family with childhood tales of her running after the Ice Man for ice chips, playing with her cousins, wearing stacks of bracelets on her arms, and hurrying to get chores done early in the morning, so they could sit under the shade tree during the heat of the day.

In the mid-1950s, she moved to Tulsa to work at Ozark Mahoning Chemical Company. What started as a temporary job, quickly segued into a full-time position, once the bosses became accustomed to her superior secretarial skills.

She married Derle Miller July 12, 1957, and they settled in West Tulsa and began to build their family. John came first, followed by Jeff, a short 5 months later. Essentially the mother of twins, Weedie flourished in her role as mother. She thoroughly enjoyed every minute with those boys, always claiming they were “easy;” but mysteriously also telling harrowing stories of them escaping from their cribs by swinging on the curtains; John getting sprayed with a spinning pattern of red paint after he poked a hole in the can, “trying to get the marble out;” calling Dr. Lily, in a panic, because John “rode” the garage door down… right onto his chest, (Dr. Lily calmed her quickly by saying, “if he is screaming that loudly, he is not so badly hurt.”). She did manage to keep a modicum of control by a flyswatter perched atop the refrigerator…ready for action. All the neighborhood boys came to her house to play and have her tend to their wounds. She often said, “Those were the best days of my life and they passed too quickly.”

Weedie outlived nearly all of her treasured friends. For many years, the ladies where chauffeured by Helen in her RV across the states, filling the air with giggles and girly commotion. Later, she, Derle and Helen, along with their favorite couple, Gene and JoNell Doke had many more adventures traveling together.

Then Weedie became a Mother-In-Law to two girls who could not believe their luck of being blessed with the sweetest of all Mother-In-“Loves!” Weedie made many memories with her Daughter-in-law, Laura, who arranged many wonderful trips for her, Helen, and Laura's mother, Anne. We can't talk about that though, because “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

Then she entered into the most precious of all roles...grandmother! She played, taught, nursed and cuddled her grandchildren in such a sweet way, that her Daughter-In-Law, Becky, often told Weedie that she learned to be a good mother by watching Weedie interact with her grandchildren. She supported her two terminally ill grandbabies, Jakey and Olivia, through their entire little lifetimes; providing help in every way possible. She spent much time with her grandson, Isaac, picking him up from school, going on Wal-Mart outings, doing “desk work,” and much more. He will always cherish those years with his beloved Grandmother. Weedie welcomed his wife, Karla, with love and lit up like a Christmas tree when they came to visit. She called all of her kids/grandkids “Babe.” They will miss hearing that.

Weedie was a member of Carbondale Church of Christ since 1962 and considered the parishioners her “family.” She cherishes her decades spent with her “Church Family,” worshipping God and fellowshipping together.

On October 26, 2013, at the tender age of 83, Weedie became a bride again, marrying Jerry McCurdy. They had 11 happy years together. Their favorite pastime was fishing. They spent many hours on the pontoon boat with poles in the water.

Juanita is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry; Son, John Miller and Daughter-In-Law, Laura; Son, Jeff Miller and Daughter-In-Law, Becky; Grandson, Isaac Miller and wife, Karla; Sister, Helen Downs and Brother-In-Law, Milton (whom she loved like a true brother).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonzo and Ethel Bristol; her husband, Derle Miller; Grandchildren, Jacob and Olivia Miller and a Great-Grand Daughter, Isabella Grace Miller.

Weedie loved God and lived a blessed life, full of laughter and love. Everyone that knew called her “sweet.”

Enjoy Heaven, “Sweetie Weedie!” We’ll meet you on God’s golden shores!

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Brown Funeral Home in Coweta, Oklahoma. A graveside service celebrating Juanita’s life will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Greenwood Cemetery in Porter, Oklahoma with Matt Crain officiating.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. Juanita’s family entrusted her care and service to Brown Funeral Home & Cremations, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, Oklahoma 74429, 918-486-5515.