Julia May Miller

Julia May Miller, 101, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, May 5, 2025, at her home in Paw Paw.

She was born May 1, 1924, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Paul T Graham and Hazel G. (Tiffany) Graham.

Julia lived a long and fulfilling life. She was one of sixteen children and quit school at age 13 to help raise her younger siblings. Julia returned to school at age 49 and earned her GED from Paw Paw High School. Julia farmed and sold crops to put food on the table and even won a dishwasher from the hardware store, which she then sold to earn money for her family. In her younger years, she also raced stock cars, like the true force of nature she was.

Julia enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, quilting, fishing, traveling and taking trips to the casino. Every Sunday, Julia would cook dinner for her family and play some intense "500 Rummy" games and afternoon dime poker games. If you had a straight flush, she would beat you with five kings! No Sunday dinner was complete without an ice-cold Milwaukee!

On her 99th and a half birthday, she took a hot air balloon ride that was covered by Fox 17 News and in the Kalamazoo Gazette. On her 100th and a half, she traveled to see Daniel O'Donnell, a famous Irish singer, who sat next to her in the audience and sang her a love song while holding her hand! She celebrated her 101st with her beloved family.

She is survived by her two daughters, Jackie C. (Steve) Burnham and Judy L. Wiley; son, James C. Miller Jr.; grandchildren, Trapper (Lisa) Hallam, Zachary Burnham and Alexis (Jacob) Starr; great-grandchildren, Treyson, Maddie and Ava; and her faithful furry companion, her German Shepherd, Zoey.

Further, the family would like to acknowledge the compassionate efforts of the care team, in particular Carman, who became like family over the last couple years.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, James C. Miller Sr.; daughter, Jean A. Hallam; brothers, Harold K. Graham, Robert G. Graham, Kenneth R. Graham, Zane Graham, Jerry Graham and Donald Graham and sisters, June M. Rozankovich, Donna Gray, Joyce Strong, Jean Hicks, Jane Dilday, Betty Hoover, Mary Graham and two infant twin sisters.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service honoring Julia's 101 years of life on Monday, May 12, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw. Julia will be laid to rest next to her husband at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Big T, 155 N. Main Street, Lawton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators Rose Arbor Place or The American Cancer Society.