Ola Mae Miller

Ola Mae Burgess Gilmore Miller, 87 of Clarendon, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 31 at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock.

Ola Mae was born January 18, 1937 in Postelle, Arkansas to Elmore Burgess Sr. and Viola Henderson-Burgess.

In her early years, she received her formal education from the Clarendon Public Schools. She also attended G.W. Carver High School.

While growing up in Clarendon, Ola Mae attended church services wither family at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church. Later, after relocating to the city of Marvell, she joined First Baptist Church in Marvell under the leadership of Reverend Scott. After returning to Clarendon to live in the 1970's, she then went on to become a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend E.J. Richardson. She sang in the church choir, church Mother Board, member of the Kitchen Committee and the church Janitorial staff.

Ola Mae worked as a cook for many years at the J&M Restaurant in Clarendon. She retired in 1990 after 15 years of service.

Ola Mae was the widow of Alonzo "Fat Sam" Miller.

Her husband Alonzo Miller; her grandchildren: Chantell Hill and LaTerrance Brown; her parents: Elmore Burgess Sr. and Viola Burgess; her sister Rosie Lee Staten; and four brothers: Elmore Burgess Jr., Jessie Lee Burgess, Curtis Burgess and Alonzo Brown all preceded Ola Mae in death.

Survivors are: five sons: Charles (Rose) Burgess of Memphis, TN; Thomas (Annette) Burgess of Bethlehem, PA; Willie (LaVera) Gilmore of Clarendon, AR; Willie James Gilmore of Jacksonville, AR; and Arlucious (Pamela) Gilmore of Stuttgart, AR; two daughters: Pearl (Tony) Morris of Chicago, Ill; and Ethelean Miller of Detroit, MI; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-four great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; her godson David (Sandra) Lee of Roe, AR; a brother: Lee Arthur Brown of Marion, AR; two sisters: Linda Brown of Marion, AR and Minnie Bell Hill of Memphis, TN; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 2:30 PM at the Clarendon/Holly Grove High School Auditorium, 320 North 7th Street in Clarendon with Reverend David Wilson officiating. Interment will take place at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com and Web Address: www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>

Pallbearers are: Willie Gilmore Jr., Marcus Gilmore, James Gilmore, Charles Burgess Jr., Carlos Booker, Terrell Brown, Freddie Booker and Reginald Booker.