Alta Marie Smith Milner, 86, of Fort Worth, Texas, died on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 1 a.m. at Baylor All Saints Hospital, Vitas Unit. She was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Cleo Springs, Okla., the daughter of Pat and Nina Smith. On Dec. 30, 1948, she married Ralph Lee Milner, son of the late Thomas Edwin and Ethel Milner. Ralph and Alta Marie enjoyed 65 years together. Mrs. Milner attended schools in western Oklahoma and graduated from Kansas High School in Kansas, Okla., as salutatorian of her class. In school she was a member of the Glee Club, the harmonica band, 4-H Club, Yearbook staff, and served as a student librarian. In her Senior memory book, Alta Marie said, “My hopes and plans for the future is to make the most of life, enjoy life to the fullest, and always keep my chin up, even in the face of failure and disappointment.” Upon graduation, she attended college classes in Tahlequah before being assigned to teach eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse on an emergency certificate. Mr. and Mrs. Milner operated Milner TV Sales and Service for 28 years in Crowley, Texas. Before retiring from that business, they began Milner Cattle Company with 98 Beefalo. The Milners continue to raise cattle. Mrs. Milner enjoyed flying with her husband for over 28 years. She took lessons to learn to fly and land the Cessna plane. Mrs. Milner was an active life and charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6872. She managed all phone calls and schedules for the V.F.W. band, The Misfits until she turned 82 and was physically unable. However, she continued to accompany her husband and daughters to almost all of the performances. The volunteer band entertained at various area nursing homes for over 30 years. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ralph; daughter, Alta Lee Futch and husband, Dana, of Crowley, Texas; daughter, Faye McCoy and husband, John, of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Naomi Oxhandler and husband, Neil, of Spring, Texas; granddaughter, Joanna McCoy-Lafayette and husband, Ray Lafayette, of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandson, Scott McCoy of Saginaw, Texas; grandson, Cale Oxhandler and wife, Maranda, of Tomball, Texas; grandson, Cory Oxhandler and wife, Holly, of The Woodlands, Texas; grandson, Cody Oxhandler and wife, Brittany, of Tomball, Texas; great-grandsons, Kade, Owen, and Ryan Oxhandler; great-granddaughters, Callie and Avery; brother-in-law, Johnny Hinds, of Crowley, Texas; sister-in-law, Imogene Wood and husband, Marvin, of Kansas, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Virginia Hulshouser and husband, Rayford, of Lancaster, Texas; sister-in-law, Helen Shipman and husband, of Cedar Hill, Texas; brother-in-law, Frank Milner and wife, Molly, of Burleson. She is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends. Graveside service: Noon Thursday in Glenwood Cemetery, Alvarado. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home in Burleson.
