Earlene Elaine "Squirrel" Miller

Earlene Elaine “Squirrel” Miller, 79, passed away on January 15, 2018 at her La Junta home.

Early lived large, had more fun in an afternoon than many do in a lifetime, and made so many friends during her almost 80 year “run” on this Earth. Everyone loved her, and she couldn’t go anywhere without having to stop and talk to several people along the way. In recent years, she would ask who the person was after the encounter as everyone knew her but she didn’t always necessarily remember them.

Earlene was born to Paul and Grace Jones and was oldest of the second set of twins born into the family. Earlene went on to have three sets of twins of her own (naturally), and she always said when she quit having kids (three single births), she decided to have twins. She was a beloved mother who had to juggle phone calls every morning because days weren’t complete unless her girls talked to their mom. She was also pseudo ‘mom’ to many, many others during the years. She had 16 grandkids and 14 great grandkids, and each of them have their special memories of Grandma Squirrel who wasn’t the “typical” grandma.

Earlene owned several small taverns over the years and loved her customers in La Junta, Cheyenne Wells, and Sugar City. She was a dart player and played in the local league for 30 years where she was respected and revered. She played until she couldn’t play anymore and had hoped to resume her place on the Red Dog Revisited Team where she was the matriarch.

Squirrel will be remembered for being strong. Her saying was “when it’s too tough for everyone else, it’s just right for us”. THAT is how she lived her life. During her battle with lung cancer which she won, she never complained or pitied herself. She was so very unique and marched to the beat of her own drum. Very accepting and never judgmental unless you pissed her off. She will be missed. Shed a tear or two, she deserved every tear shed. Here’s to Squirrel!

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Chuck) Shaffer of Decatur, AL; Toni Lynn Evans of Ordway; Carol R. (Frank Dickerson) Crowson of Russellville, AL; Cherrie (Paul) Beaman of Ordway; Terrie Beaman Ames of Broomfield, CO; Dana (Brian) Stoker of La Junta; Clayton (Charity) Beaman of La Salle, CO; sisters, Leota Hiss, Jennie (Eldon) Marston and Elizabeth (Don) Reynolds; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Grace Jones, eight siblings and infant twins.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. the First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Steve Hicks officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. Visitation will be Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.