A Letter to Keith

Wow Keith, it is so hard to imagine our lives without you.  There are so many memories that flood our mind that we are not sure where to start.  Sunday, July 13, 1969, changed all of our lives forever.  The day you were born you put such big smiles on your parents Brenda J. Ward and Kenneith D. Miller’s faces. 

There were good times enjoyed by us as you grew up.  From you playing outside on hot summer days to going to school at Ryan Middle School in Houston.  Even when you moved to Brazoria in the nineth grade, there were such awesome times.  You were such a ladies’ man and being new to the school you were considered “fresh meat”.  We remember how the girls flocked to you.  You were so handsome, and it was obvious that you loved every minute of their attention.  Keith, you were a country boy at heart and the move proved to be a good one for you.  Your “Uncle/Daddy” Sylvester would wake you and the other kids up before the crack-of-dawn to walk the cows and feed the pigs.  We remember the time that you got drug by the cow that was getting away. You dropped the rope and somehow it got tangled around your ankles and away you and the cow went… through the fence and all.  It wasn’t funny to you, but you sure did make us laugh hard that day!  There were such good times at Surfside on Sundays, even though all the kids would get in trouble for getting sand in the car. The times showing animals, protecting the ladies in your life and just being a good guy – such great memories.

It was a proud day when you graduated from West Columbia High School where you were one of their basketball stars.  That excitement was equally matched when you enrolled at Jarvis Christian College.  We were also very proud of you when you landed the position as a HydroBlaster at HydroChem Company in Freeport.   

You were a great son, brother, cousin, dad, granddad, uncle, and friend.  You were always there to lend a helping hand – you were pretty cool.  Oh my goodness, just thinking about you cooking makes our mouths water.  Your green beans with Rotel, your BBQ, pasta dishes, and the way you could fry fish…wow – so good!  It was cool to watch you interact with you family and friends.  From going fishing, watching movies, and enjoying sports - it was always good to hang around you.  You kept a big smile on your face and helped to put one on ours.

Even after you begin to have health problems, you remained the stable force that brough all of us together.  Through your kidney transplant surgery and through the years of dialysis you showed us what it meant to be strong in the mist of personal challenges.  You kept such a positive attitude and disposition that it helped us all to strive to be better in our lives.  We owe you so much.

Family time, especially holidays, will not be the same without you.  It was obvious you were tired and ready for your wings.  Sunday, March 27, 2022, will be a day that we will never forget, for it was then, you got your wish.  We love you and will miss you dearly.  We all will think about you often.  Love, your mom: Brenda J. Ward; your children: Britney Brown, Jaylon Tolbert, Rycshelle Brown and Keith Miller, Jr. all of San Antonio, Texas; your “aunt/mom”: Jackie Tims of Brazoria; your siblings: Kevin D. (Treasa) Miller of West Columbia, Texas, Kendrick D. (Yolanda) Miller of Pflugerville, Texas; your “cousin/siblings”: Claude Tims of Thompson, Texas and Yvette Edwards of Houston, Texas; and your grandchildren: Kelis Brown and Josiah Brown both of San Antonio, Texas; and your two devoted friends: Cedric Brown and Lester Harris; along with countless nieces, nephews, family members, loved ones, and friends.  It gives us peace to know that you are now resting with your dad, Kenneith D. Miller and your “uncle/dad” Sylvester Tims who went home before you.

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