Deceased Name: Mildred Nail Miller

© Durant Daily Democrat

November 27, 2007

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Mildred Nail Miller died peacefully on November 24, 2007 after a long and productive life.

Mildred was born November 29, 1906 in Caddo, to Jennie Lynn and Ishtoyopi Nail.

She married Stephen D. Miller on June 25, 1932. They had one daughter, Marilynn Miller Roskelley. Stephen passed away May 21, 1971.

Mildred was very proud of her Choctaw Indian heritage. She adored her grandfather, Joel Henry Nail, who owned considerable property around Nail's Crossing {Indian Territory on Blue River}, and was a lawyer, a rancher, and owned thoroughbred racehorses. He built a bridge across Blue River for the Overland Trail.

Mildred also loved her maternal grandmother, Mary Armstrong Lynn, who raised her after she and her two sisters were orphaned by the death of their parents at age 5.

Mildred was educated at Goodland, Wheelock Academy and Oklahoma Presbyterian College. She earned a B. A. from Southeastern State University, a Master's degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma, and only lacked a thesis to have earned a Ph. D. from the University of Oklahoma.

Mildred was a very dedicated teacher and educator, and taught for 39 years, 30 of which were spent at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Durant. She loved her students and was determined that all would learn.

As a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, Mildred has had the distinction of being the oldest member for the last few years.

She was also a member of Ohoyhoma Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, Oklahoma Education Association, and The American Association of University Women.

Mildred enjoyed teaching, reading, music, cooking, walking, swimming, traveling, crocheting, and needle pointing, but most of all, she enjoyed her life with Steve and Marilynn, and her adored grandchildren, Amy and Mark Roskelley.

She was also a great Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys football fan.

Mildred is survived by her daughter, Marilynn Miller Roskelley of Salt Lake City, Utah, and her grandchildren, Mark Roskelley of San Francisco, California and Amy Andrus of Salt Lake City, Utah. They have always affectionately called her Nene, and she was very influential in their lives.

She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, James Erik Andrus, Carolina Bailey Andrus and Ava Camille Andrus.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Durant.

Interment will be at Highland Cemetery in Durant. Mr. Skip Robinson will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Mildred's name may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, the Durant High School band, or to the Southeastern State University Department of Music.

For memorial service information, please contact Dalton Homes at {580} 924- 0224.

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