Marlys Wilhelmina Downen Miller

Funeral services for Marlys Wilhelmina Downen Miller, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Miller passed away at 5:50 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born July 27, 1937, at McGrath, Minnesota, to Orin Johnathan Parrott and Mary Wilmine Dinger Parrott.  On October 16, 1954, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Leroy Earl Downen, who preceded her in death January 9, 1978; from their union they were blessed with three children, Romona, Rhonda and Tommy Downen.  In February of 1979, she was married at Smith, Tennessee, to Virgil Thomas Miller, who preceded her in death on June 23, 2007; from their union they were blessed with a son, Steven Miller.  She loved her family and going to family reunions.  Marlys was an artist and enjoyed painting and drawing.  She loved her animals and raised award winning goats; she enjoyed going to shows and fairs.  Mrs. Miller worked with children teaching them to take care of animals and how to show them in competitions.  Before her retirement in 2006, she loved working at Wal-Mart and helping customers find what they needed.  She loved people.

She is survived by four children, Romona Romans and husband, Johnny, West Plains, Missouri, Rhonda Perry, Lewisberg, Missouri, Tommy Downen and Cathy Welker, Pottersville, Missouri and Steven Miller and Chrissy Sullivan, Nashville, Tennessee; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husbands, four brothers, Orin Jr., Bill, Gerald and Roger Parrott and two sisters, Barbara Charles and Clarice Bradshaw, preceded her in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at New Liberty Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to New Liberty Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.