Sharon Marie Dawson Miller

Sharon Marie Dawson Miller, 86, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 29, 2018 after a brief illness. Sharon was born on May 27, 1932 in Weldon, IL to Samuel and Huldah (Bebie) Dawson. She spent her early years on a farm near Weldon IL, but later moved to Clinton IL to attend high school. There she met her future husband, Jim, and they were married on July 16, 1951. Sharon was active in the local community and was employed as a bookkeeper for over 20 years by the Clinton Community Unit School District. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the YMCA, the DeWitt County Republican’s Women’s Club, the Elk’s and Eagles Auxiliaries, the Friends of Weldon Springs, and the Friends of the Warner Library. She was also an avid Illini fan. In 1979, Sharon undertook a grass root door-to door campaign to homes throughout Clinton, and as a result became the first woman ever elected to serve on the Clinton City Commission. After enjoying the early years of their retirement rotating between Illinois and Florida, Jim and Sharon gave up their seasonal snowbird migration patterns in 2001 to become full time residents of St. Augustine. Besides enjoying the winter warmth, Sharon also relished the role of grandmother to twin granddaughters and a grandson also living in St. Augustine. She was incredibly proud to be present when both twins recently graduated from the University of Florida. Sharon was a member of the Shores Methodist Church and took great enjoyment in meeting with her Early Morning Coffee group at Publix. Sharon was an avid reader and a great fan of Tim Tebow, whom she followed from his earliest days when she would listen to Nease High School football games on the radio. Sharon was a kind, loving, and generous individual and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, James Raymond Miller. She is survived by her sons, Wayne (Laure) Miller of Peoria, IL, Steve Miller of St. Augustine; 5 grandchildren, Brandon (Tina) Miller of Bettendorf, IA, Elizabeth (Timothy) Arvin of Peoria, IL, Marcus Miller, of Frisco, CO, Nicolle Miller of Gainesville, FL, and Stephanie Miller of St. Augustine, FL; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters. Cremation rites will be accorded through St. Johns Funeral Home in St. Augustine, FL. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 15, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Pastor Carolyn Westlake officiating. A visitation beginning at 10 am will precede the service. Memorials can be made to The Weldon Springs Foundation, P.O. Box 323, Clinton, IL 61727. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Sharon Marie Dawson Miller

May 27, 1932 - November 29, 2018