Kathy Ann (Phillips) Miller

Kathy Ann Miller (née Phillips, formerly Campbell)

July 19, 1956 – April 12, 2025

Kathy Ann Miller passed away peacefully at home on April 12, 2025, surrounded by love and held by grace, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was 68.

Born in Wichita, Kansas on July 19, 1956, Kathy’s life was a vivid tapestry of learning, laughter, courage, and care. She lived in numerous places throughout Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri, making each one brighter and better by her presence. Her reach stretched across generations and geography, but her heart always stayed close to the people and passions she cherished most.

A fierce advocate for education and an endlessly curious spirit, Kathy spent 44 years as a high school science teacher in schools across Arkansas and Missouri, including Floral, Concord, Newark, Steelville, and Poplar Bluff. She held a bachelor’s degree from Lyon College and a master’s from Central Methodist College, and she never stopped learning—her book collection was legendary, and so was her hunger for knowledge. When something sparked her interest, she would dive in completely, wanting to understand it from every angle.

Kathy taught chemistry, physics, forensic science, robotics, earth science, biology and more—but she taught far beyond the classroom. She was a passionate mentor, a 4H leader, a science fair champion, and an unforgettable presence to every student who collected bugs, rocks, or life lessons under her watch. She even once applied to become a teacher in space through NASA—because of course she did.

She was also an artist, a singer, and a force of nature. A member of First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, she filled sanctuaries with her beautiful voice, always singing—whether on stage or humming softly around the house. She danced, she rode a bull, she picked cotton, she played college basketball. She crafted stained glass and needlepoint, cooked meals that became memories, and surrounded herself with the beauty of wildlife, flowers, fossils, and butterflies. Her rock collection was only rivaled by her capacity to love.

And that love ran deepest for her family. Kathy is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Jeff Miller, with whom she shared an inseparable and enduring bond. She is also survived by her beloved mother, Lena Fern Phillips; her two sons, Daniel Campbell (Kelly) and Jacob Campbell (Tiffany); her brother, Karry Phillips; and her grandchildren—Anders, Dalton, Hayden, Charlie, and Isabelle—who were her greatest joy. She also adored her stepchildren, Casey, Betony, and Kathleen, and step-grandchildren Keagan, Cove, Delphi, Annabelle, Emerson, and Hunter, Hallie, Gunner. Kathy was also cherished by countless cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, former students, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Campbell.

Kathy’s life was a song—sometimes bold, sometimes quiet, always true. She taught us to be curious, to be brave, to sing when we feel joy, and to learn something new every day.

[A visitation will be held on Thursday 4/17/2025 from 3:00 to 5:00. A brief memorial service will follow at 5:00. All who loved Kathy are welcome.]

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics program.

[“Be careful out there. You cannot break the laws of physics, but they can break you.”]

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Kathy Miller. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com