Deborah Eileen Miller

Deborah “Debbie” Eileen Miller was a compassionate and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her battle with cancer ended on May 26, 2023, at age 68 when she went home to our Lord and Savior completely healed, with her beloved husband John at her side.

Debbie was born to Edwin and Bessie Mae Hall on March 4, 1955, in Canon City, Colorado. After graduating from Canon City High School in 1973, Debbie earned her associate in applied science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado. She worked as a dedicated medical professional in the Denver area until she returned home to Canon City to raise her three children: Diana, Bradley, and Kristen. Later, she returned to work as a Time Analyst for the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), where she met her future husband, John.

Debbie was a devoted mother, raising her children in the Christian faith. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Canon City for many years, singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday school, and volunteering in various ministries. She loved crafts and art and was a gifted painter with oils and acrylics. Her attention to detail was obvious and she often elicited an endearing chuckle when trying to describe something precisely. For example, her wallet was more coral than salmon colored, and she’d like 10, make that 12, Cheetos in her small bowl. In 2003, Debbie and John built their retirement home in the Sangre de Cristo mountains near Westcliffe, Colorado, and when Debbie retired in the fall of 2009, they made it their permanent home. Debbie and John attended worship services weekly in a quaint little chapel at Sangre de Cristo Seminary, where they developed loving and long-term relationships with staff and students over the years.

Until her diagnosis in December 2019, Debbie was also an active team member with the Colorado Convention of States. Leadership from the Colorado organization noted, “Deb was a huge blessing to the Colorado Convention of States team. As a District Captain, Deb was instrumental in our grassroots efforts. Her activity also produced the endorsement and faithful support of Colorado state Senator, Ron Hanks.”

Debbie’s legacy is that she was caring, open, and completely honest with everyone. Her outward beauty was elegant, yet inwardly she was radiant. Most notably her legacy is all about her love. She loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus, and strived to show that love to everyone she encountered. Debbie would always see the good in everyone and believed there was always hope with God’s grace. After her diagnosis, she was even more fervent in shining the light of Jesus for everyone to see. Through all the treatments and their side effects, she would give thanks and praise for God’s grace, trusting His perfect plan, as in the words of Job: “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD”, Job 1:21 (KJV)”.

Deb’s lasting message to everyone: “It is well with my soul”. Truly, truly, truly.

Debbie is survived by her husband, John Miller, both her parents, Edwin and Bessie Mae Hall, her brother, Nathan Hall, her three children: Diana (Ryan) DeCrona, Bradley (Ryann) Hall, and Kristen (Tobiah) Twine, and seven grandchildren: Haley (Noah) Sanchez, Joshua DeCrona, Noelle DeCrona, Azaiah Hall, Sarai Hall, Gabriel Stack, and Caleb Stack.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM at Wilson Funeral Home on Monday, June 5th, 1449 S 9th St, Canon City, Colorado. A graveside service will follow at 3 PM at the Ula cemetery located at 1885 Co Rd 170, Westcliffe, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Debbie with your contribution to support the ministry and students of the Sangre de Cristo Seminary, 6160 County Rd. 130 Westcliffe, CO 81252, or online at sdcseminary.org/giving.

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