Carol June Miller (Manley) Obituary (1956 - 2020)

The gates of Heaven opened on December 12, and the angels rejoiced as they welcomed home, Carol June Miller. Carol was born in York, NE on February 6, 1956; the third child of, what eventually would become, Dr. Bob and Phyllis Manley's brood of eight! As the middle child, Carol grew up not saying a word until she entered kindergarten. After that, boy, she made up for lost time! One of the things Carol and her sister Janet loved to do was play horses. Growing up in Scottsbluff and Lincoln, it was not unusual to see them "galloping "and "whinnying" around the yard and house for hours. This game playing led to her lifelong love of horses. After graduating from Lincoln Southeast High School, Carol went to work for the University of Nebraska. While there she met a Nebraska football player, fell in love and married Junior Miller. From this union two children were born; Cara and Seth. While Junior was playing at Nebraska and later with the pros, Carol became a football fan. For years, she never missed a Nebraska game and or bowl game. And as was typical of Carol, she would graciously share her tickets with family, employees and friends; never asking for a dime. After Junior's playing career was over, Carol began a business that is still thriving today. With the help of her sister, Janet, she started a mail sorting business in her living room. It eventually expanded to the garage. After years of persistence, patience, hard work, dried hands, and split finger tips, Miller Mailing became one of the most reputable mail houses in Lincoln. This reputation didn't happen by accident. It occurred because Carol, for almost 40 years, put her customers and their needs first. If a job wasn't done correctly; regardless of the fault and the cost; she would make things right. With Carol's humble servant and giving attitude, many of her customers became friends. Bonds of trust and love, extending in both directions, became the norm. It goes without saying that her friends at the post office and businesses she served will sorely miss her. Over and above Carol's business accomplishments, her central focus was always her two children and her grandchildren. With an undying and unselfish love, she cared and provided for her family in, what at times seemed, incredible ways. Carol had a special relationship with Cara. They were not just mother and daughter; they were best friends. They were inseparable and together shared each other's life's experiences. It was not uncommon to see them working at the office, out shopping, at ballgames or just hanging out at a restaurant with the grandchildren. A particularly strong bond was their love of horses and together began to form a nonprofit Tennessee Walker rescue. As Seth was growing up, he played AAU basketball. Both his dad and Carol traveled all over the country with his teams; paying the bills for all of the kids. When her grandson, E.J., was old enough to play, Carol did the same thing. She could be found weekend after weekend sitting in the bleachers with Cara, yelling encouragement, as they watched Seth, and later E.J. and Olivia play. Then there's E.J. From the moment he was born, he had a very, very special place in his grandma's heart. Let it suffice to say...more than anything else; he was her life. Carol will always be remembered for her sweet, unselfish spirit. She rarely put her needs above those around her; be it customers, family, friends or animals. Daily, she demonstrated her core value in life...serve and provide for others. A friend recently told Seth that he believed 5 % of the people on earth were in the "angel category" and that Carol was one of them. No truer words were ever spoken. Carol is survived by her mother, Phyllis Manley of Lincoln; her son, Seth (Jasonette) Miller of Lincoln; her daughter Cara (Tavares) Boykins, of Lincoln and her grandchildren: E.J. Miller, Olivia Miller, Imani Davis, Malia Boykins, Josiah Boykins and newborn Isaiah Boykins. Brothers and sisters are: Bob (Candice) Manley, Mesa, AZ; Janet (Kevin) Keller, Adams, NE; John (Kathy) Manley, St. Louis, MO; Kelly (Tamara) Manley, Sacramento, CA; Susan (Craig) Miller, Overland Park, KS; Joy (Mitch) McArtor, Chicago, IL and Becky Richardson, Lincoln, NE. In addition, she is survived by many, many nieces and nephews. Carol is proceeded in death by her son, Jesse and her dad, Dr. Bob Manley. A memorial service is in the planning . Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those with whom we travel. So be swift to love, and make haste to be kind, and know that you are blessed and you are loved." (Author Revised: Rev. Christopher Szarke; St. James Episcopal Church; Midvale, UT)