Phyllis J. “Jo” Miller was born October 12,1937, at Couch, Missouri, to Ode and Zella (Roy) Hackworth. She departed this life Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the age of 88, at West Vue Nursing Home, West Plains.
Phyllis graduated from Couch High School with the class of 1955. While attending there she was active in all music related activities and volleyball. She continued her love for music and volleyball into adulthood. Singing for the church and community choir, playing volleyball on city league teams and attending local volleyball events. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 1954.
She was united in marriage to Robert L. Miller, October 2, 1955 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing in 2019.
Phyllis was employed with Eaton Corporation (Invensys) for 28 years. She felt a strong commitment to her employer and served on various committees while working, including serving as a representative on the United Way Board.
She was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church for 58 years teaching the age 3-6 class for 32 years. She held multiple roles as a member of the church WAC (auxiliary). She enjoyed gifting prayer bears to ladies that might be struggling, experiencing a life change, or she felt a special burden for. She gifted close to 100 bears over the years. Her greatest reward this side of heaven was being a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Phyllis is survived by her four children (spouses); Rhonda (Tom), Randy (Michelle), Jo Beth (Doug), Jeff (Melody); ten grandchildren (spouses); Silu, Dee Dee (Ed), DJ (Beth), Derek, Sarah, Lyndsey (Colin), Brock (Joanna), Seth (April), Logan (Allison), Kody (Jacy); and 12 great-grandchildren; Serenity, Nevaeh, Acelyn, Radley, Arlo, Lyla, Eden, Nora, Benjamin, Emma, McKenzie, Mazie. Sisters-in- laws; Maralyn, Joyce, Bille Ann, Janice, Glenda (Jay); Brother-in-law Morris (Sharon). Many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and special neighbors Mike, Becky and Kevin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ode and Zella Hackworth, in-laws Monroe and Florence Miller; Sister Glenda, her husband Bud and son Terry. Miller family in-laws; Evalyn (Everett), Gene, Bert, Tom, Loel and nephew Steve.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chaos Closet or a charity of your choice, and can be left at the funeral home.
A celebration of life visitation will be held on May 22, 2026 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
There will be a burial of cremains on May 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains,
