Francis R. Miller, age 91 of Harrison, passed away May 3, 2010. She was born September 24, 1918 in Forrest City, AR to Lula (Ferguson) Rowland and Thomas Jefferson Rowland. She graduated 3rd in her class from Forrest City High School in 1936. She married Joe Miller July 8, 1936 and they shared 73 1/2 years of marriage. They moved to Harrison in February 1937 where Joe joined his father in the hardware business. She cherished her early years in Forrest City, but Harrison was her home.

She was a mother of 3, a homemaker, and a volunteer. She served as president of 2 different PTAs, a Cub Scout den mother, president of the Garden Hobby Club, past-president and over 50 year member of the 20th Century Club, past-president and a 60 year member of Chapter H, PEO. She taught the Fidelis Sunday School class of the First Christian Church for 50 years, while also serving on the general board, historian for 12 years, and chair of the Worship and Education committees. She was the president of the local church women's group and served a 2-year term as the president of the State Christian Women's Organization. She served a 4-year term on the National Historical Society in Nashville, TN. She was a past-president of the Harrison District of Federated Clubs and a volunteer in the gift shop at NARMC. She organized and served as the first president of the Boone County Republican Women, and served 4 years as the secretary of the Boone County Republican Party.

She and Joe loved their years in the Arkansas Hardware Association and the annual conventions. They also traveled to International Rotary Conventions in Australia, Canada, and around the U.S. They were loyal Goblin supporters, traveling to all football and basketball games when son, Meredith played and all the games of their 7 grandchildren, who were also Goblins. Joe and Francis were inducted into the first class of the Goblin Hall of Fame.

She and son Jim collected American Cut Glass and were charter members of the American Cut Glass Association. They attended the annual conventions for 20 years and were co-chairmen of the 1985 convention in Little Rock.

Francis was preceded in death by her son, Jim Miller; her parents; her brother Bud Rowland; and her sisters, Virginia Rowland and Jean Hughes.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; her son and daughter-in-law, Meredith and Ginger Miller; her daughter and son-in-law, Marcille and Jay Lawrence. The seven grandchildren are Jeff, Joe and John Martin, Nathan, Matt, and Jake Miller and Ashley Hoppis. She was GiGi to 12 great-grandchildren all of Harrison. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Jones of Rogers, AR; 4 nephews; 1 niece; and a loving church family.

A memorial celebration of her life was held, Thursday, May 6, 2010 at First Christian Church with visitation afterwards in the church Fellowship Hall. Dr. David Artman officiated.

Arrangements by were handled by Coffman Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 915 S Maple, Harrison, AR 72601

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com