Paula Miller Ran Caribou Hotel, Worked At CRNA

Paula Miller 

1944-2024 

Paula Myrtilla Miller went home to her heavenly Father on December 6, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born to Paul and Verda Woodrum on February 27, 1944. She met LeRoy Earnest Miller when she was only 12 and he 14, they were married for 62 years. Together they raised 7 children. Paula was preceded in death by their youngest, Loretta Leah Miller and her baby Jim; baby granddaughter Lori; her parents Paul and Verda Woodrum; and many others.  

She is survived by her loving husband LeRoy Miller; sons James (Charlene) Miller and Clinton (Kimber) Miller, daughters Rains "Lavonna" (Randall) Anderson, Cindy (Jeffrey {deceased}) Diggs, Rene'e (little Paula) (Brian) Brunner, and Christine (Shawn) Gornall; many grandchildren, even more great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren; her sister Trythena Bandy and brother Robert Woodrum; along with many nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Paula and LeRoy moved to the little logging town of Valsetz, Oregon in 1966, where they raised their family. She not only worked in the plywood mill, but also worked with the young girls of the community and was a Camp Fire leader, taking them camping and teaching them all sorts of things including how to cook in a pit. In 1980 they moved to Glennallen, Alaska. In Alaska, Paula and LeRoy ran the Caribou motel, gas station and restaurant until LeRoy started working security for the Trans Alaskan Pipeline and Paula a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. She often traveled to villages in remote parts of Alaska to treat her clients. In 2004, they both retired and moved to Cordell, Oklahoma where they have lived since.

Everywhere Paula went she was quick to make a friend; she never knew a stranger. People always talked about how kind she was and her eyes…her eyes were the most amazing blue and were so very welcoming. She absolutely loved babies–human babies, animal babies, and adored baby cows. Paula will be loved forever and greatly missed.