Thelma Jean Davis Smoot Miller

Thelma Jean Davis Smoot Miller was born in Red Jacket West Virginia, on April 3, 1938 in the home of her loving parents James Davis, Sr, and Annie Lou Mathis Davis. was the third child in a series that include her eldest brother James Davis, Jr. affectionally known as (Bud), William C. Davis, (known as Jack) (Aka) Jean, Loretta Davis (aka Bay), Carolyn Ann Davis (AKA Nan) and Erskine Thomas Davis
(AKA Buddy Boy).

She was educated in Mingo County School system where she excelled academically and enjoyed reading, basketball, and cheering. She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and was Baptized at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Red Jacket, West Virginia early in her youth. She graduated from Liberty High School in Williamson West Virginia, where she played basketball and enjoyed being a cheerleader at the esteemed all black high school before integration. A chance visit to her Aunt Fannie Davis’s home in Madison, West Virginia would change her life forever as she met and later married Alfred Smoot, Sr. From their union two children, Alfred Houston Smoot Jr. and Rebecca Nadine Smoot were born. Concerned about a chronic heart problem that Alfred Sr. had and fearing that it might end his life, the couple agreed that Jean would attend college. Jean graduated from Center College in Charleston, WV and later secured a job working for the State of West Virginia at the State Capitol in Excise and License. Tragically eight years after their union Alfred Smoot, Sr. died of a chronic heart problem leaving Jean to raise their children. She was a strong willed, Christian person that set high expectations for her children and offered them many opportunities to explore their potential. She always encouraged her children to travel outside of the town of Madison and even the state if necessary, to find better employment opportunities. She emphasized faith in Jesus Christ, hard work, pride in our culture and strong family connections. Jean was a member of Zion Baptist Missionary Church in Madison where she was a faithful and devoted member that sung in the adult choir, worked with the mission, and held various other service-related responsibilities. worked with the mission and raised her children. In October of 1980 Jean Joined the Order of the Eastern Stars Queen of Sheba #8 in Logan West Virginia.

In 1994, after dating five years, she married her longtime friend Thomas Howard Miller. Thomas was a schoolteacher in the Boone County School system for many years and was loved and respected by many people in the community. They traveled together often to visit family and friends for their annul family reunion in Hookerton, North Carolina. Every holiday they visited children in Maryland or hosted family from other states at their home in Madison. The couple served the Lord together in both the Saint Paul AME church and Zion Baptist Missionary church. They were a loving and strong couple that worked together and loved sharing their knowledge with others. Thomas died on January 8, 2014 at the age of 85, leaving her to continue in faith. Shortly after his death in April of 2014 Jean had her first of what would be five strokes that left her struggling in some areas, but she fought on and her strong-willed spirit helped her to survive.

She was a doting grandmother that loved her grandchildren unconditionally. Spoiled them at times but talked to them often and attempted to give them guidance. She and Thomas loved her son-in-law Jessie and daughter-in law Uvette very much and spent a great deal of time with Jessie watching football, The Heat of the Night and old movies. She enjoyed travel and considered her trips to Paris, France, Canada, Maine, New Orleans, Pittsburg and Hawaii among her best family trips.

After a hard-fought battle with cancer she went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 26, 2020.

She was proceeded in death by her father James Davis Sr., her mother Annie Lou Mathis Davis, her husband’s, Alfred Smoot Sr. and second husband Thomas Howard Miller, her brother James Davis Jr. and sister-in -law Mary Catherine Davis, her brother William C. Davis, (Lydia), her sister Loretta Fullen, and brother-in-law Glen Fullen, and her son-in -law Jessie B. Bankhead Jr.

She leaves to mourn her loss, son Alfred Smoot Jr. (Uvette); her daughter Rebecca Bankhead; grandchildren, Marcus Andre’ Smoot, Tiffani Soraya Smoot, Andrew Bankhead, Jeffery Wilson, Christy Miller, Marion Livingston; her sister Carolyn Ann Davis Saunders (John Saunders); brother Erskine Thomas Davis; sister-in law Lydia Davis; and a host of nieces and nephews; close friends that were just like family to Jean.

If you are unable to attend the service you can watch the service at this link: https://youtu.be/PTsdfwBixw0