Joan Cecilia Clayman Miller

Joan passed peacefully in her sleep, on July 23, surrounded by family in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Joan, affectionately known as "JoJo" shared 95 wonderful years of goodness, positivity and happiness with everyone she encountered; she lead a full and meaningful life, spreading joy, love and optimism though out her life's journey. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she and her family were greatly impacted by the Great Depression of the mid 1930's. To escape the devastating financial collapse of the U.S. automotive industry in 1936, the Clayman family moved to the small town of Somerset, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to join relatives and friends. During that time Joan's father, Walter "Pat" (decorated WW I Veteran), found employment doing engineer work and her mother, Marian "Honey", owned and operated a successful automotive repair shop while Joan and her brother, Jack, were inseparable as they made new friends and shared their daily life experiences together in Somerset. Coming out of the Great Depression era in 1940, the Clayman's moved once again, this time to the rolling hills of Kingsport, Tennessee. Pat took a full time engineering position with Eastman Kodak while Honey enjoyed being a homemaker and kept busy with her children as the entire family flourished in their new hometown. Joan and Jack made fast friends and soon they became the most popular siblings in their new neighborhood and schools. The Clayman's loved Kingsport and decided to never leave, so they purchased a beautiful 36 acre tract of land just outside of the city, near the base of Reedy Creek where they built their dream home. While attending Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett High School, Joan was heavily involved in many school functions and miscellaneous groups including: DB Sponsors (Ambassador), School Activities Committee, Student Government and the Homecoming Court. During her Senior year, she also worked part time at J.Fred's Department Store selling Fur Coats and upscale Evening Dresses; she continued to work there after she graduated from Dobyns-Bennett in 1948. Later that same year she was a participate and winner of the Miss Teen Kingsport Beauty Pageant. Joan also attended Virginia Commonwealth University. Joan was recruited to be a Spokes Model for the legendary New York based cosmetic company, Charles of the Ritz; she held that position for a few years while simultaneously working at J. Fred's. Always looking for a new adventure and an exciting challenge, Joan left the retail industry when she was recruited to became a front office representative at the Kingsport Utility Company where she happily worked full time for the next several years. Her life would dramatically change for the better when a neighbor and high school friend set her up on a blind date with a charming and dashing, University of Tennessee graduate and a decorated WWII Veteran, Murphy G. Miller, Jr. They quickly hit it off and after only six months of dating, Murphy wisely asked for her hand in marriage; they were married approximately 8 months later at Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church in Kingsport. She and Murphy built a wonderful life together as they settled into their new home and lifestyle in West Knoxville. They enjoyed spending time with their friends, dining, dancing, golfing and socializing at Deane Hill Country Club. They both loved attending to UT football games - home and away - they loved to travel and the Florida beaches were always a favorite and frequent destination. She and Murphy loved attending live musical performances and they danced together as they traveled across the country. The following year their lives once again changed for the better when Joan gave birth to their first son, Marc and again approximately 2 years later with the birth of their second son, Mathew. Murphy and Joan were in heaven, they loved their new family - Joan absolutely loved being a mother to Marc & Mat. She focused all of her attention on her two precious boys, nothing made her happier than being with her family. Joan spent the next 18 plus years as a beloved wife, homemaker, mother, carpooler, kid-taxi-driver, Field Trip Chaperone, PTA Mom, Y-Indian Guide Mom, Bearden Little League Mom, Bearden High School Sports Mom and Knoxville Teen Board Parent Volunteer until both of her boys moved out and graduated from the UT Chattanooga. In 1982, the World's Fair Exposition came to Knoxville and the entire Miller family got their money's worth as they used their Expo 82 Membership Passes almost every day - Joan loved going to the Expo and she especially enjoyed dancing at the famed German Strohaus. The following year, the Miss USA Pageant came to Knoxville and Joan was quickly recruited to be an official Pageant Chaperone. Joan had the great pleasure to be a Pageant Chaperone for Miss Nevada and Miss Colorado. Joan was beloved by her Pageant girls, the CBS Television crew and The Miss USA Pageant crews; she also became fast friends with the events Emcee and former Television icon, Bob Barker. Joan was an avid sports fan - she loved the UT Vols and was a regular attendee at home basketball and football games, and the Miller's also followed the Vols to every post season Bowl Game. Despite the death of her beloved husband in 1998, she honored and fulfilled Murphy's wishes for Marc, Mathew and her to attend the National Championship Game in Tempe, AZ, where she helped the Vols bring the Championship Trophy back to Knoxville. Joan and Murphy were annual donors and devoted members of the UT Presidents Club and the UT Founders Society. She also loved attending the Masters Golf Tournament each year with the Bleier family, friends and family. Joan loved to travel and she visited all 50 States, she took numerous trips to most of the Caribbean Islands, several big trips to England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia, where she always spread her kindness, love and good cheer. For over 60 years, Joan was an active member at Erin Presbyterian Church, long time member of Ossoli Circle, The Red Hat Society and The American Legion Auxiliary (TN Unit 2). Joan was a proud Tennessean and had a deep love for our Country - she was a great American - she often participated in and donated to many Veteran's, Law Enforcement and EMS causes. Despite all of the wonderful places that she visited and all of the incredible things she encountered throughout her 95 years, she loved being "JoJo" to her beloved Grandchildren: Garren, Gaines, McLain and Gaevin. She loved being "JoJo" more than anything else; she loved being an active part of their lives. She also loved her two Daughters-In-Law, Julie (Mathew) and Molly (Marc); they truly became the two daughters that she never had but always wanted - her love for both of them was unmeasurable. JoJo was a bright star in this world and she always brought joy, happiness and sunshine where ever she went. Joan had so much positive energy and was known for that happy twinkle in her eyes and for her beautiful, long lasting smile. There are not enough adjectives to adequately describe JoJo but she was known for her kind heart, her selflessness, her overwhelming generosity, her infectious optimism, her love of life, her joy, her integrity, her loyalty, her caring heart as well as her outgoing and positive Spirit. She was a friend to all. Her positive legacy lives on in everyone who knew her. Joan is survived by her two sons Marc and Mathew, two Daughters-in Law, Molly and Julie, four Grandchildren, Garren, Gaines, McLain and Gaevin, one Sister-in-Law, Jo "Jody" Clayman, one Nephew, Randal Clayman, several cousins, other relatives and countless friends. Her family wishes to thank everyone who called, text, sent cards and flowers to her and those who were able to visit and spend time with her. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Summit Medical Group (Knoxville) for their care throughout the years as well as the caring team at Gentiva Hospice of Cleveland. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Rose/Mann Heritage Chapel & Funeral Home (6200 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919). Receiving Friends between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm with her Celebration of Life Service to be held immediately thereafter at 3:00 pm in the Mann Heritage Chapel. The family asks for those attending her Service to wear bright colors to reflect Joan's upbeat, positive and joyful personality. Interment will be at the Veteran's Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 8, 2025. (5901 Lyons View Pike Knoxville, TN 37919) In lieu of flowers (if you feel compelled, cat friendly, please), please make donations in her name to The American Heart Association and/or The East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra.

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Joan Cecilia Clayman Miller

May 2, 1930 - July 23, 2025