Gracie Annett Miller

July 3, 1967 – September 14, 2026

Gracie Annett Miller, 59, of Strafford, Missouri, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, September 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Gracie was born on July 3, 1967, in Delano, California, to Ralph Contreras and Helen Herrera. She eventually made Missouri her home, where she devoted her life to her family, her faith, and caring for the people she loved.

Gracie married Ron Miller on February 6, 1988. Together, they shared 38 years of marriage and raised their two children, Heather and Parker. Gracie was a homemaker, but that simple title hardly captures the role she played in the lives of those around her. Her home, her family, and the people she loved were at the center of her life.

Anyone who knew Gracie knew she had a personality all her own. She was funny, feisty, loving, outspoken, compassionate, sarcastic, protective, strong, resilient, and incredibly generous. She loved fiercely, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and had a way of making her presence known wherever she went. Beneath all that spice was a deeply caring woman who would do just about anything for the people she loved.

Gracie found happiness in life’s everyday moments. She loved watching and feeding the hummingbirds and orioles that visited her yard, tending to her garden, finding a good deal on Amazon, and making her daily Walmart shopping trips. She loved Michael Kors and Coach purses and bags, Mexican food, gospel music, and being near the beach. At home, she enjoyed watching Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune, and she especially loved cooking shows. Anything Pioneer Woman was sure to get her attention.

Some of Gracie’s happiest moments were the ones spent surrounded by family. She loved holidays because they gave everyone another reason to gather together, share food, laugh, and simply be in the same place. She treasured time with her children and grandchildren and loved being part of their lives.

Above everything else, Gracie loved Jesus. She was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of Landmark Church in Strafford. Those who attended church with her knew where to find her: sitting on the second row from the front. Landmark was more than the church she attended. It was a family she loved, and spending time with her church family brought her tremendous joy.

Gracie loved gospel music, and one song especially dear to her heart was Desperate by Jamie MacDonald. One of her favorite passages of Scripture was Philippians 4:13, a verse that reflected the strength and faith with which she lived her life: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Gracie leaves behind her husband of 38 years, Ron Miller; her daughter, Heather Moore and her husband, Daniel Moore; her son, Parker Miller and his wife, Brittné Miller; her “bonus son”, Anderson; and four beloved granddaughters, Ashlynn Warrick, Makennah Warrick, Khloee Vaughn, and Colbie Russo. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and a church family who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Contreras and Helen Herrera, and her sisters, Debra Contreras, Guadalupe Dobbs, and Francis Contreras.

A celebration of Gracie’s life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Landmark Church, 200 S. Peachtree Ln., Strafford, Missouri 65757, with Pastor Justin Graves officiating. There will be no visitation.

Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited to a potluck dinner in the church basement. Everyone is welcome to stay, share a meal, tell stories, laugh, remember Gracie, and celebrate the life she lived.

Gracie will be laid to rest at 3:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens North in Springfield, Missouri.

Those wishing to help the family during this time may make a contribution through the family’s GoFundMe or contact Pastor Justin Graves.

Gracie’s family will miss countless things about her: her humor, her feistiness, her sarcasm, her generosity, her strength, the way she loved, and simply knowing she was there. There will be empty places at family gatherings, an empty seat on the second row at church, and countless everyday moments when someone will instinctively think of Gracie.

But for a woman whose faith meant so much to her, her story does not end with September 14.

Her family grieves because they love her, but they do so with the comfort of knowing where she has gone. Gracie has gone home to be with Jesus. She has finished her earthly journey, and the faith she held onto throughout her life has become sight.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 
Philippians 4:13