Tomasita P Miller (Tommie)
Tomasita P. Miller, better known as Tommie, daughter to Joseph and Thomasa Rivera passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 27, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Tommie was born on March 4th, 1934, in Santa Barbara, California as one of ten children and was the last remaining member of her family to pass. Tommie was an alumnus of Santa Barbara High School, graduating class of 1952 and was married to Frank Wright from 1952 to 1964, raising three children: Ruth, Chuck, and Dean.
She was married to her loving husband, John Miller from 1968 until his passing in 2003. Tommie was a long-time employee of Jedlicka’s Saddlery in Santa Barbara and Los Olivas, and was involved in her hometown church, Grace Baptist, under Dr. Edward Mitchell until his passing.
Tommie lived in Santa Barbara all her life until she moved to Idaho in November of 2016 to be closer to her daughter, Ruth. Tommie loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, choosing to volunteer her time at the Neil Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake in her years living in Santa Barbara. She loved to travel, but her favorite places that she got to see were Alaska, Australia, and Panama. Tommie was always up for road trip and loved to travel and see family and friends.
Tommie is survived by her children Ruth Prather and Dean Wright, her two grandchildren Josh Prather, and Sarah Vernon, six great grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tommie loved her family more than anything in this world and was honored to live long enough to be a friend, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great-great-grandmother to so many. Tommie loved to be involved in her family’s life and supported them in any way that she could. She will forever be a missing piece to all their lives but will be affectionately remembered by all.
Tommie will be fondly remembered for her generosity, her friendship to all that knew her, and the love that she gave to her family. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, John, in Carpinteria cemetery in Santa Barbara, California.
Per Tommie’s wishes, no services will be held.
