Pheirthine Miller-Sanders Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The beloved Pheirthine Miller Sanders, 93, of Muskogee, passed away peacefully Friday, January 15, 2021. She was born July 29, 1927, in Braggs, to Ralph and Emma Hayes. Pheirthine's life was a World War II love story and in 1946 she married, Richard Miller, a soldier from Pennsylvania. They made their home in Pennsylvania where she was embraced by the very large "Miller" family and she was welcomed into their circle. The young couple lost no time growing a family of three daughters and a son by 1951. The little family needed room to grow. Pheirthine and Richard shared the love of gardening and raising animals, so in 1953 it was "Oklahoma here we come". Pheirthine always made time for God by hiding away at the barn, or pasture, or by a rock on the hill behind the house, to talk to Jesus and pour out her heart in prayer for all those she loved. There were even times when she had to resort to locking her bedroom door to pray. When it came to talking to God, she was not shy but rather loud. She took her children to church every Sunday, and many times, collected other children that wanted to attend Sunday School. Her dedication to God was in addition to completing her daily tasks such as: sewing her children's clothes, cooking, and cleaning. She did laundry outdoors with a ringer washing machine and hung it on a clothes line. She ironed clothes, milked cows (so she could sell the cream), raised a garden, canned vegetables, and numerous other tasks required of a homemaker back then. She did all this with joy and taught her children, by example, by not complaining but rather by making their chores into fun. That way, the job got finished faster and was enjoyable. Shortly after the death of her husband Richard Miller in 1980, she moved to Arizona where she did mission work. In 1984, she met and later married Reverend Lewis Sanders whose family loved and welcomed her with open arms. Following her marriage, she became an Ordained Minister of the Gospel in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Later, she earned her Bachelor then Master of Theology Degree. Together, Pheirthine and Lewis continued God's work as Western Indian Missions until Lewis' death in 1991 when she alone continued the work. She returned to Muskogee in 1999 where she pastored Sharing Ministries Church until she retired, due to failing health, in 2013. She loved her Lord Jesus and had a heart full of love for everyone she met. Her calling and primary focus was ministering to children and teaching them about the love of Jesus. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Emma Hayes; husbands, Richard Miller and Rev. Lewis Sanders; sister, Irene Lacey; brother, George Hayes; son-in-law, Charles Ayers; grand-daughter, Jana Kay Squirrel; grand-son, Mark Capps; and her baby girl, Kathy Capps. She is survived by her sister, Wanda Jean Holloway; children, Wanda Kay (Ronald) Ayers, Janice (Kenneth) Ayers-Burnes, Richard (Brenda) Miller; and son-in-law Buddy Capps; grandchildren; Ralph Ayers, Wanefield Miller, Cindy (Spencer) Keys, Paul (Keana) Ayers, Rebecca (Zachery) Munzenrider, Melisa (Mike) Robinson, Charlie (Robbie) Ayers, Brett (Stacy) Miller, and Rick Miller; also, many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews. and friends. Pheirthine’s life will be celebrated at 2PM, Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Adrian Totty officiating, being assisted by Cindy Keys, Ali Munzenrider, and Judi Sanders-Callison. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with Ralph Ayers, Wanefield Miller, Paul Ayers, Charlie Ayers, Brett Miller, Ricky Miller, Jace Squirrel, Brent Keys, Buddy Capps, Spencer Keys, Zach Munzenrider, and Bryce Ayers serving as pallbearers.

Pheirthine Miller-Sanders

July 29, 1927 - January 15, 2021

Obituary & Service

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Pheirthine Miller-Sanders

July 29, 1927 - January 15, 2021

Obituary & Service

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