William Homer Miller was born in Wise County, Texas, on December 29, 1900 to James Robert and Evie Miller, maiden name Leatherwood. He came with his parents by wagon to Crosby County, and lived on a farm until we were married. I was born Alta Elizabeth Thornhill in Jack County, Texas on December 18, 1901 to Charlie Newton and Susie Thornhill, maiden name Gilliland, and came to Crosby County by wagon in 1916 with my parents. Our family spent a night with friends at Afton, Texas before proceeding on to Ralls, Texas, where we lived in a tent near Ralls. My parents worked in the cotton fields for a while before buying a farm in Crosby County and moving there.Homer and I were married in the Thornhill home on December 28, 1919. Then we moved to Dickens County in 1922., where we began farming on the Joe Shaw farm about 3 miles southwest of McAdoo, Texas, and where 3 of our children were born.
In 1932, we moved back to Crosby County, where Homer bought the Broadway Store there. We lived there for 4 years.
In January 1936, we moved back to Dickens County, where Homer and I operated the Croton General Store for 32 years. We really enjoyed living in Croton all those years. We met so many good friends and neighbors while running the store. Our family also attended the Croton Baptist Church there. Our children started to school in Leatherwood and then they all graduated from Patton Springs High School.
Homer and I had 4 children: Eva Lee born November 17, 1920; Weldon Carroll (Sonny) born August 1, 1923; Billy Joe born October 13, 1928; and Maridell born July 21, 1932.
Eva Lee married Reynard Daniel (Abe) Morgan. They have 1 daughter, Shirley Anne. Eva Lee is now a widow and lives in Garland, Texas. Sonny married Eunice Garrett and they live in Corsicana, Texas. They have 2 daughters, Danna Kay and Jan. Bill married Bonnie Teague, now deceased and they have 1 daughter, Joy. He then married Christine Woods, and they have 2 sons, David and Carl. He lives in Grand Prairie, Texas. Maridell married Ira Edwards, and has 2 children, Billy Don and Teresa Sue. She is now married to Del Davis and lives in Lubbock, Texas.
In 1968, Homer retired, and we moved to Dickens, where Homer spent his time playing dominoes and I sold Avon products for several years. Homer died of a heart attack on September 11, 1973. After Homer died, I lived in our home in Dickens until 1982. I now make my home with my daughter Eva Lee, in Garland, Texas. I am in relatively good health for a lady of 84 years, but my eyesight is failing now. I spend my time now watching television and working word puzzles. I have 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Alta Elizabeth Miller - written in 1986
CROSBYTON (Special) - Services for Homer William Miller, 72, of Dickens, will be at 4 p.m. today in the First Baptist Church of Dickens. The Rev. Robert Fields, pastor of the Halfway Baptist Church and the Rev. Rod Ridard, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dickens, will officiate.Burial will be in Crosbyton Cemetery under direction of King Funeral Home.
Miller died about 12:20 a.m. Tuesday in Crosbyton Hospital.
Miller was a native of Jack County. He married Alta E. Thornhill in 1919 in Crosbyton, grocery store operator.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Weldon C. of Corsicana and Billy J. of Gilmer; two daughters, Mrs. R. D. Morgan of Garland and Mrs. Maridell Edwards of Dickens; a brother, Leslie of Crosbyton; two sisters, Mrs. W. T. Barnett of Crosbyton and Mrs. Lucy Adams of Carlsbad; eight grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be C. R. Gage, Slim Brendle, Edgar Robinson, Amos Jackson, Johnny Cumbie, Johnny Koonsman, Ona Clay and Wright Martin.
Lubbock Avalanche Journal, September 12, 1973
Record provided by Crosby County Pioneer Memorial Museum
Services for Alta Thornhill Miller, 85, of Garland and formerly of Crosbyton, were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 1986 in the chapel of the First Baptist Church in Crosbyton.The Rev. C. L. Adkinson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dickens, officiated at the services.
Burial was in the Crosbyton Cemetery under the arrangement of Adams Funeral Home.
She died at 4:45 a.m. Friday, December 12, 1986 in a Garland hospital after a lengthy illness.
She was a former resident of Dickens and Crosbyton. Her husband, Homer Miller, died in 1973. She was a Baptist.
Survivors include two sons, Weldon C. of Corsicana and Billy J. of Grand Prairie; two daughters, Eva Lee Morgan of Garland and Maridell Davis of Lubbock; eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.
Crosby County News & Crosbyton Review, December 18, 1986
Record provided by Crosby County Pioneer Memorial Museum
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