Couple honored for kindness, involvement
Mr. & Mrs. YesterYear Clarence & Girthal Miller

Joining a long line of distinguished and dedicated Whitehouse citizens, Clarence and Girthal Miller were honored as Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear 2007.

With YesterYear celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Millers are the 24th couple and/or individual to bear the title.

"I think one of the most important things we do is to honor people who have invested of themsevles, who have made an impact on our town," said Nancy Coats, a YesterYear director and a recipient of the Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear title in 1995 with husband James.

Both Clarence and Girthal were born and raised in Smith County by pioneer families of the community. They grew up in a rural area located south of the City of Whitehouse. Girthal Stanley grew up in large family of nine children and was the proud baby daughter of John Stanley and Blanch Tomlin Stanley. Clarence was the only son of four children raised by Willis L. and Ida Mae Miller.

They are both graduates of Whitehouse High School and were active in numerous school and community activities while growing up. Clarence and Girthal were married and have lived in the community their entire lives except for a brief time while Clarence ser ved his country proudly as a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Memorabilia from the life and times of the Millers is shared with the public during Sunday's tea.

The Millers are members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Githral taught Sunday school and helped in the music ministry for decades. The Millers have also been active participants in past YesterYear activities. The couple was nominated for the honor of Mr. and Mrs. YeterYear by their children, Woody and Sonja (Miller) Johnston and Dennis and Jill Miller, and their grandsons, Jacob and Will, for their "random acts of kindness and 75 years of service to the community."

YesterYear's silver anniversary celebration began June 15 with the Roy Lawrence Memorial Golf Tournament. On June 16 presentations and celebrations for Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear, as well as Princess Shelby Hilburn, ladiesin waiting Meagan Barkley and Lindsey Taylor and their courts, took place at the Coronation and Ball at Whitehouse High School.

The Millers attended both the golf tournament and Coronation and Ball and were then the guests of honor at a tea on Sunday, June 17.

The tea honoring Girthal and Clarence Miller featured a slide show of photos heralding the couple's life together in Whitehouse, as well as displays of personal memorabilia.

Roger Hickman, Tony Causey, Bob Hagan and Robert and Delois Pettigrew, 2006 Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear, all spoke of how giving and loving this couple is to their community.

Mr. & Mrs. YesterYears Past

1984 Clara Phelps
1985 Margie Pond
1986 J.W. and Lorea Conner
1987 Doug and Mozelle Brown
1988 Lois Pike
1989 Elizabeth Hearon
1990 Dillon and Mayme Hamilton
1991 Hiram and Christine Wiegman
1992 James and Marcie Williams
1993 Harold and Doris Higgins
1994 Shirley Smith
1995 James and Nancy Coats
1996 Gene and Evelyn Tomlin
1997 J.L. and Frances Hays
1998 Ray and Nancy Terry
1999 Lawrence and Juanita Smith
2000 Georgia Brown
2001 Glendal and Mary Pike
2002 Elmer and Nelda Stanley
2003 Richard and Judy Waller
2004 Bob and Juanita Hagan
2005 Acker and Bobbie Hanks
2006 Robert and Delois Pettigrew