Jessie Isabel Nelson Miller began her 102 year life journey as the second of three girls born to Johan Martin & Harriet Elizabeth Nelson on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1918, at Samish Island, Washington. She passed away in Sedro-Woolley, Friday, May 22, 2020. She grew up on Samish Island, enjoying a happy, carefree childhood on their farm with sisters and friends. She especially enjoyed the Samish Island Chapel Sunday school and wrote a tribute for their 100th anniversary celebration last year. She loved to go to Sunday school, accepted Jesus at the chapel, and had a very strong faith. She graduated from Edison High School and was their oldest alumna for many years. She bought a banjo, played it in high school orchestra, and played in dance combos many times. She also played the ukulele. After high school she attended a beauty school in Concrete and used those skills with family and friends.
She married Marlin Wells Miller of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, April 17, 1938. A few weeks later they both came down with Scarlet Fever. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2008. During World War II, she worked for Marlin delivering Valley Dairy milk products house to house and later worked in their Dairy Bar. They had two daughters, Joyce and Charlotte. Jessie taught Sunday school into her 80s. She was a member of the Birthday Girls, a small group of close friends who did a lot of fun activities. She took an upholstery class and proceeded to beautifully reupholster an antique couch and chair, and many other items. She took a ceramics class and made several nativity scenes; was an excellent seamstress and alterations expert. She fashioned daughter’s wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses and her own dress. Jessie also enjoyed quilting and made wonderful quilts, including one for each of her great-grandchildren to enjoy, all stitched by hand. She took oil painting classes and proceeded to produce many beautiful paintings for family and friends. She and Marlin were part of the Wild Women of Woolley and a Few Good Men music mime group, raising funds for charity. They also volunteered at the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center Museum. They enjoyed traveling near and far by air, train and car.
For the past 13 years Jessie has made Country Meadow Village her home, greeting residents by name and enjoying new friendships. She was grateful for the care and kindness there. She was always eager to learn something new or read a book. She was especially interested in following the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jessie is survived by daughters Joyce Muzzall of Walla Walla, and Charlotte Dykstra (Henry) of Burlington; five grandchildren, Eric (Randi) Dykstra, Chris (Kelly) Sullivan, Marie (Ron) Hawkins, David Muzzall, Amy (Adym) Rygmyr; and nine great grandchildren, Hailey, Blair, Travis, Katie, Lauryn, Erin, William, Whitney & Amanda; nieces, Jacquie (Lynn) Buckley, Candace (Fred) LaMont, Tamara Ensley; and nephews, David (Jean) Wilson, Jay (Chris) Ebbeson.
Preceded in death by parents; her husband, Marlin; sisters, Martha Rae Wilson Palmer and Dorothy Ebbeson and son-in-law, Hugh Muzzall.
Many thanks to Drs. North and Zhou, Country Meadow Village and Peace Health Hospital, Sedro-Woolley. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 267, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Online condolences may be sent via Lemley Funeral Home in Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Jessie and sign the online guest register.
Hugs Charlotte, what a special person your dear mother was. I remember her fondly from our years together at First Baptist. Thinking of you at this time and thankful your momma knew Jesus and his power of salvation so your reassured of a beautiful reunion one day in heaven.
Jessie Miller was a remarkable lady. She was a goer and a doer. Always uplifting.
The neat thing that Andy and I really enjoyed when we took her home from Samish Island one night. We took a ride around the island and we got a history lesson that we will never forget. So enjoyable, she knew everything and the details
just amazing. Yes, she will be missed but at 102 you had her for a long time.
Jessie was a joy to know and a shining example of Christ’s love
Our deepest sympathy for your loss to you all.
My heart was a bit sad to know this lovely lady has passed to her heavenly home.
Auntie Jesse, you always showed us love as children and I so appreciated seeing and visiting with you occasionally as an adult.
Your graceful ways and loving kindness will be missed. Peace to your family.
My grandmother was Jessie’s sister Rae, who died when I was only 8 years old. As such, Great Aunt Jessie is the person my 3 sisters & I remember fondly as a grandmother. Our visits to her & Marlin’s home as children were always these delicious adventures back to a time that felt simpler, more joy filled. Those two were always so kind and smiling and laughing. We loved to play tic-tac-toe with Marlin and steal candy from the jar for him. We marveled at all of Jessie’s brilliance: their incredible backyard garden, her cooking, her paintings, and of course all the card games she taught us. Her sincere happiness about life was something still radiating from her in that last amazing decade of her life. When I visited her with my father a few times at Country Meadows I was always surprised at how active and well she remained and what a good memory she had. When I got married in August 2013 she was a lively wedding guest even with her walker. Her lovely smiling face is unforgettable as is her resilient spirit of joie de vie. May her joy live on in all of us who carry her memory with us in our lives.
Your mother was always so very sweet and kind to everyone around her. She was a beautiful, in so many ways, person. The family was certainly blessed to have had her in all their lives for such a long time.
I admired Jessie the entire time I was privileged to know her, at least 50 to 60 years. She was an amazing woman. My condolences to her entire family. They, especially, will miss you, Jessie. Rest In Peace and in the arm’s of Jesus.
Hebeltje Dykstra
Loved her dearly. She was an amazing woman. Had an amazing sense of humor and memory and always smiling. I will miss our visits and phone calls.
Love you, Auntie Jessie