Grace Eloise Penland Miller

Grace Eloise Penland Miller was born May 30, 1936, to Cash and Kathleen Penland in Candler, Buncombe County, North Carolina. She entered the gates of heaven on November 30, 2021.

She was born the ninth child in a family of 12 children. She was baptized into the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Candler at the age of 12. After high school she moved to Virginia where she met Robert A. Miller who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Robert and Grace married in Candler, N.C., on August 30, 1958, and moved to Goldendale, Washington.

Grace and Robert have three children, Katha Jean, Karla Jo, and Kent Jeffrey. They have seven grandchildren: Jeremy, Alexandra, Jonathan, Joel, David, Kiah, and Jesse.

Grace is preceded in death by her parents and nine of her siblings. She is survived by Robert; her children Katha (Douglas) of Bremerton, Wash., Karla (Dirk) of Renton, Wash., Kent (Diane) of Colfax, Wash .; grandchildren Jeremy (Izzy) of Portland, Ore., Alexandra of Bremerton, Wash., Jonathan of Seattle, Wash., Joel (Noelle) of Medford, Ore., David of Bremerton, Wash., Kiah of Tacoma, Wash., and Jesse of Newberg, Ore .; her sister Sue Kates of Waynesville, N.C., her brother, Douglas Penland of Candler, N.C., and many nieces and nephews.

Grace left home and family to follow her new husband across the country to settle in Washington state. She kept in close contact with her family and enjoyed their accomplishments.

She took great pride in raising her children and teaching them kindness, manners, cooperation, and to be welcoming to all. She taught them to be open-heartedly willing to help. She instilled in them integrity, determination, and a deep abiding faith.

As a lifelong learner with enduring curiosity Grace encouraged her children to continue learning and to never stop being curious. She loved games and puzzles and used them often in teaching her children. She invented word games with her children that they played with their own children. She loved spending time with her kids and rarely if ever missed a ball game, a concert, a play, or any other activity they were involved in. Grace also loved her grandkids fiercely and attended all events she could. She sent cards and enjoyed their accomplishments.

Telling and writing stories was one of Grace's great delights. One of her stories was illustrated and published on Amazon for her 85th birthday.

Grace loved and enjoyed working with children. She was a beloved Sunday School teacher, Good News Club leader, and leader for Campfire Girls. Her children and many others benefitted from her involvement in these groups.

She joined her husband in his work at the Auvil-Warner Company, by running errands, answering phones, managing payroll, and even becoming a Notary Public.

Grace was involved in a bowling league in Colfax for several years. She belonged to a local TOPS group where she made friends that have lasted a lifetime. She loved to do jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles, to read (especially mysteries and romance), and to bake. She enjoyed kittens and cats. She had the gift of hospitality. She was always willing to lend a hand whenever it was needed. Everyone was welcomed into her home with open arms.

She enjoyed doing crafts of many types, including sewing and embroidery. She loved collecting and maintaining large collections of cardinals, angels, bells, music boxes, and small pitchers.

Grace was peaceful and content. She quietly kept everything on track and running smoothly, often working behind the scenes. She had amazing integrity and a love for Jesus that showed in her interactions with others. She will be missed by many.

Memorial donations should be made to Friends of Hospice, 115 NW State St. #215, Pullman, WA 99163; Oakesdale First Baptist Church, 209 W Bartlett St, Oakesdale, WA 99158, or the charity of your choice.

Burial will be at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. A memorial service will be held December 18 at 1:00 PM at the Oakesdale First Baptist Church in Oakesdale, Wash.