"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the passing of his saints." (Psalm 116:15)

Jimmie Lee Vantrease Miller Samuels passed through this life on Friday, April 18, 2008. She was born on September 30, 1926 in Social Hill, Arkansas to Badie and Mattie Belle Vantrease She was preceded in death by her parents; younger sister, Rosemary Knight; brother, John Vantrease; and the late Douglas Samuels, all of Malvern.

Jimmie Lee lived the majority of her life in Malvern with her late, loving husband of 49 beautiful and endearing years, Robert Kilpatrick Miller.

She is survived by her two daughters, Catherine Miller Koone and husband, Donald Koone of New Orleans, and Robin Miller Bookhout and husband, Robert Bookhout, of North Little Rock.

Jimmie has four granddaughters who brought great joy and love to her life. Now young women, Mary Kathryn Bookhout, Adrian Lee Koone, Mattie Miller Bookhout,and Caroline Kilpatrick Koone, will miss their "Mim" but forever remember her in their hearts.

Survivors also include her dear sisters, Margaret Bradley and husband Kenneth of Malvern, and Joyce Baswell of Hot Springs, as well as her sisters-in-law, Dorothy Vantrease, Elizabeth Miller, and Betty Samuels all of Malvern.

She also leaves to her legacy and memory many loving nieces and nephews, with a special thank you to Kim Cherry for her immeasurable kindness, support, and daughterly devotion.

Jimmie Lee was a very talented woman. She thoroughly enjoyed china painting, needle-point, cross word puzzles and playing bridge. She loved volunteering. She was a tenderhearted southern lady with a gregarious nature which enabled her to make friends easily. Early friendships lasted a lifetime for Jimmie. While many of these friends have gone before her, they now stand at the gates of heaven to welcome her home. Although too numerous to mention all of her golden friends, she leaves behind a special note of love to Pat, Charlotte, Jean, Margaret Ann, Jean, Hilda, Berna, and Rosemary.

Thank you to all who have sent cards, love, prayers, and thoughts throughout her good times and her times of tribulation. A special, sincere thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center, Dena Reynolds Clementine Kelley, and the staff and friends at Presbyterian Village. You are all so appreciated.

Jimmie Lee and her family love each of you dearly and will forever hold you in their hearts. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Hot Spring County Library, or First Presbyterian Church of Malvern.

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Knight, Dixon Miller, Lynn Marshall, Steve Walker, David and Daniel Cherry, Brad and Jared Daniels, Chaney and Tatum Miller, Carl Koone, Charles Jordan and Mike Wooldridge.

Graveside will be Monday morning, April 21, 2008 at ten o'clock in the Shadowlawn Cemetery with Reverend Carl McCormack officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of J. A. Funk Funeral Home, Malvern.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.