Joe Ryder Miller, son of Charles Curl Miller and Bertha Lena (Ryder) Miller was born at Elk City, Oklahoma on May 2, 1918. Joe departed this life on July 8, 2010 while in health care at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Joe attended grade school and high school in Elk City and upon graduation from high school he enrolled at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College of Stillwater, Oklahoma. While at Oklahoma A & M College he was a member of the Farm Fraternity.
When World War II started, Joe enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was an Electrician's Mate First Class at the time of his honorable discharge.
After the war, Joe returned to Elk City where he and Tola Askew were united in marriage. Three children, Katherine Sue, Carolyn and Jane, were born to this marriage. Joe and Tola were married for thirty two years until the time of her death.
Joe chose farming as his occupation which included raising wheat, cotton and broomcorn. He farmed throughout his active lifetime and was an active member of the Farmer's Cooperative Association in Elk City. Joe had many special interests which included fishing, hunting, gardening, motorcycling and maintaining the appearance of his home and property.
Joe donated land for the establishment of the Antioch Christian Church of Elk City and became one of its most dedicated members. He loved and praised his Lord Jesus at every opportunity and did his utmost to lead others to Christ.
On February 11, 1979 Joe and Cecelia June (Cleveland) Ramsey were united in marriage in Elk City. June brought her own children – Jim, Dempsey, Bill, Mark, Mary and Ruth into Joe's life to round out their happy family.
In addition to his first wife, Tola, Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bertha Miller; by daughters Katherine Sue and Carolyn; by his stepson, Mark Alan Ramsey; by one brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Pauline Miller and by one sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and Harmon Windell.
He is survived by his beloved wife, June, of the home in Elk City; by daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Steve White of Oklahoma City; by his step-children, Jim and Sandy Ramsey of Georgia, Dempsey and Layna Ramsey of Vici, Bill and Joanna Ramsey of Skiatook, Mary and Scott Bates of Edmond and by Ruth and Todd Barclay of Plano, Texas. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.